Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/27

Rh was given the title of "Bringer of the Imperial First Nightingale."

They sang together, but it did not sound well, for the real Nightingale sang her own song, and the clock-work bird sang waltzes.

"It isn't its fault!" said the bandmaster. "It keeps very good time and is quite after my style."

Then the artificial bird had to sing alone. It was very pleasant to listen to, and it was also pretty to look at, as the jewels with which it was covered sparkled so. It sang the same piece many times without becoming tired, and then the Emperor thought that the real Nightingale should sing again. But she was not to be found; the window was open and without anybody seeing her go, she had flown away to her beloved forest.

The Emperor was very angry when it was discovered that the real bird had gone away, and everyone agreed that it was a very ungracious thing for her to have done. But they all said that the bird sent by the Japanese ruler was the better of the two, and especially did the bandmaster praise it. He said that one knew just what to expect from the