Hey there! Welcome to "Fairy Tale and Folktale Fridays," a new feature on my blog where I discuss about some fairy tales and folktales I have read throughout the years.
The Emperor and the Nightingale
Type: Fairy Tale
Country of Origin: China (Setting); Denmark (Origin of Author)
Main Character Hero or Heroine: Hero
Recommend?: Yes!
The story starts off with the Emperor of China hearing about a nightingale that lives in his kingdom and how its song is the most beautiful thing in his kingdom. He then orders his servants to seek the nightingale and bring it to him. When the servants finally found the nightingale, they brought it to the Emperor's palace and the nightingale began to sing for the Emperor. The Emperor was so moved by the nightingale's singing that he wanted the nightingale to stay with him and sing for him. Unfortunately, the nightingale wanted to go back to the forest so it could live in freedom. One day, the Emperor received a gift of a beautiful bejeweled mechanical bird that was able to sing just as lovely as the real nightingale. The Emperor then became so engrossed in the mechanical bird's singing, that he lost interest in the real nightingale and the real nightingale ended up returning to the forest. One unfortunate day however, the Emperor became ill and the servants thought that he was going to die. It was during that night that Death came to the Emperor and was going to take the Emperor away. The Emperor then begged the mechanical bird to start singing for him, but the mechanical bird wouldn't sing, due to being played too many times . It was during that moment that the Emperor realized that having the real nightingale is much more precious than having a mechanical bird who's beautiful on the outside.
I absolutely loved this story! I loved the fact that this story takes place in China since I love reading stories that take place in foreign countries and I think that this story captures the true essence of China so well! I also loved the fact that this story is about what true beauty is all about as the mechanical bird may be beautiful on the outside, but it can't be counted on when the Emperor really needed it. I loved the fact that the Emperor learns his lesson about true beauty when the real nightingale ends up saving the day, even though he dismissed it earlier in favor of the mechanical bird.
1. What's your definition of true beauty?
I think that true beauty is something that is in the inside, meaning that even if you have an ugly appearance on the outside, if you are a kind-hearted person, then you are beautiful no matter what.
2. Have you ever received a beautiful gift from anyone before?
I had received several over the years. But some beautiful gifts I had received were jewelry from my relatives and parents, which I still keep to this very day!
The Emperor and the Nightingale by Hans Christian Andersen; illustrated by Robert Van Nutt
The Nightingale by Andy Beck and Brian Fisher
The Nightingale by Hans Christian Andersen; illustrated by Catherine Huerta
The Emperor and the Nightingale by Fiona Waters and Paul Birkbeck
The Emperor and the Nightingale by Ladybird
The Three Little Pigs
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