Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/24

8 "It will give me great pleasure to do so," said the Nightingale; and then she began to sing so gloriously that they were all entranced. The First Lord said, "I have never heard anything so beautiful before. His Majesty will be delighted."

The Nightingale, thinking the First Lord was the Emperor, said, "Shall I sing again for your Majesty?"

"My dear little bird," said the First Lord, His Most Gracious Highness has sent me to invite you to his palace this evening so that he may listen to your charming song."

"It's much better out here in the forest," replied the Nightingale, but when she heard that the Emperor wished her to go to the palace, she gladly offered to go with them.

At the palace everything was splendidly prepared. The many lights made the porcelain walls and floors glitter, and the gorgeous tinkling flowers helped to make the place look very beautiful. The people moving back and forth caused the little golden bells to tinkle all the time. In the center of the great hall, in which was the Emperor's throne, was a golden perch, put there for