by Hans Christian Andersen

translation by H P Paull (1872)

IN China, , the emperor is Chinese, and all those about him are Chinamen also The story going you happened , so well to hear it now forgotten The emperor's palace most beautiful built entirely of porcelain, and very costly, but so delicate and brittle that whoever touched obliged careful garden seen the most singular flowers, with pretty silver bells tied , which tinkled who passed help noticing the flowers Indeed, everything emperor's garden was remarkable, and it extended gardener himself know where it ended Those who travelled beyond its limits knew that noble forest, with lofty trees, sloping down deep blue sea, great ships sailed under the shadow branches In trees lived nightingale, who sang so beautifully that even the poor fishermen, who had so things , would stop and listen Sometimes, went at night to spread their nets, hear her sing, and say, "Oh, that beautiful ? " But returned fishing, they forgot the bird until the next night Then hear it again, and exclaim "Oh, how beautiful nightingale's song ! "

Travellers from every country came city emperor, which they admired , palace and gardens; but heard the nightingale, they all declared it the best of all travellers, on their return home, related what they had seen; and learned men wrote books, containing descriptions town, the palace, gardens; but forget the nightingale, really the greatest wonder And those write poetry composed beautiful verses nightingale, who lived in forest near the deep sea The books travelled all over the world, and came hands emperor; and he sat golden chair, and, as he read, he nodded his approval every moment, pleased him such beautiful description city, his palace, gardens But when words, "the nightingale most beautiful of all," he exclaimed, "What ? nothing of any nightingale such bird in my empire ? and even in my garden ? never heard of it Something, it appears, learnt from books "

Then one lords-in-waiting, who was so high-bred, that when any in an inferior rank to himself spoke to him, or asked him question, answer, "Pooh," nothing

" very wonderful bird mentioned here, called nightingale," said the emperor; "they say best thing in my large kingdom Why have I not been told of it ? "

" never heard the name," replied the cavalier; "she presented at court "

" my pleasure that she shall appear this evening " said the emperor; the whole world knows what I possess better than myself "

" never heard of her," said the cavalier; "yet endeavor her "

But where nightingale found ? The nobleman went up stairs and down, through halls and passages; yet none whom he met had heard bird So he returned emperor, and said fable, invented who had written the book "Your imperial majesty," said he, "cannot believe everything contained in books; sometimes only fiction, or called the black art "

"But the book read this account," said the emperor, "was sent great and mighty emperor of Japan, and therefore it cannot contain falsehood hear the nightingale, be here this evening; she has my highest favor; and if she come, the whole court shall be trampled upon after supper is ended "

"Tsing-pe ! " cried the lord-in-waiting, and again he ran up and down stairs, through all the halls and corridors; and half the court ran , for like the idea of being trampled upon great inquiry wonderful nightingale, whom all the world knew, but who was unknown court

At last they met with poor little girl kitchen, who said, "Oh, yes, the nightingale quite well; indeed, sing Every evening permission home to my poor sick mother the scraps table; she lives down sea-shore, and as I come back tired, and I sit down wood to rest, and listen nightingale's song Then the tears come into my eyes, and just my mother kissed me "

"Little maiden," said the lord-in-waiting, " obtain constant employment kitchen, and permission the emperor dine, lead us nightingale; for invited evening palace " So she went wood where the nightingale sang, and half the court followed her went along, cow began lowing

"Oh," said young courtier, "now found her; what wonderful power for such small creature; certainly heard it before "

"No, only cow lowing," said the little girl; " long way place yet "

Then some frogs began to croak marsh

"Beautiful," said the young courtier again "Now I hear it, tinkling like little church bells "

"No, those are frogs," said the little maiden; "but soon hear her now:" and presently the nightingale began to sing

"Hark, hark ! there ," said the girl, "and there she sits," she added, pointing to little gray bird who was perched on bough

" possible ? " said the lord-in-waiting, "I never imagined it little, plain, simple thing like that She has certainly changed color at seeing grand people around her "

"Little nightingale," cried the girl, raising her voice, "our most gracious emperor wishes you to sing before him "

" greatest pleasure," said the nightingale, and began to sing most delightfully

"It sounds like tiny glass bells," said the lord-in-waiting, " how her little throat works surprising that never heard this before; she great success at court "

"Shall I sing once more emperor ? " asked the nightingale, who thought present

"My excellent little nightingale," said the courtier, " the great pleasure of inviting you to court festival this evening, where gain imperial favor by your charming song "

"My song sounds best green wood," said the bird; but still she came willingly when she heard the emperor's wish

The palace was elegantly decorated occasion The walls and floors of porcelain glittered light of thousand lamps Beautiful flowers, round which little bells were tied, stood corridors: what running to and fro draught, these bells tinkled so loudly that no one could speak heard centre great hall, golden perch fixed nightingale to sit on The whole court was present, little kitchen-maid had received permission to stand door She was not installed as real court cook All were in full dress, and every eye was turned little gray bird emperor nodded to her The nightingale sang so sweetly tears came emperor's eyes, and then rolled down his cheeks, as her song became still more touching and went to 's heart The emperor was so delighted that he declared the nightingale his gold slipper to wear round her neck, but she declined the honor with thanks: she sufficiently rewarded already " tears in an emperor's eyes," she said, " my richest reward An emperor's tears have wonderful power, quite sufficient honor ;" and then she sang again more enchantingly than ever

"That singing is lovely gift;" said the ladies court to ; and then they took water in their mouths them utter the gurgling sounds nightingale spoke to , so thay fancy themselves nightingales footmen and chambermaids also expressed their satisfaction, saying great deal, for very difficult the nightingale's visit was most successful She was now to remain at court, her own cage, with liberty out twice day, and once during the night Twelve servants were appointed to attend her occasions, who each held her by silken string fastened to her leg certainly not much pleasure kind of flying

The whole city spoke wonderful bird, and when two people met, one said "nightin," other said "gale," understood meant, for nothing else was talked of Eleven peddlers' children were named after her, but not could sing note