'Death is a great price to pay for a red rose,' cried the Nightingale, 'and life is very dear to all. It is pleasant to sit in the green wood, and to watch the Sun in his chariot of gold, and the Moon in her chariot of pearl. Sweet is the scent of the hawthorn, and sweet are the bluebells that hide in the valley, and the heather that blows on the hill. Yet Love is better than Life, and what is the heart of a bird compared to the heart of a man?'
So she spread her brown wings for flight, and soared into the air. She swept over the garden like a shadow, and like a shadow she sailed through the grove.
The young Student was still lying on the grass, where she had left him, and the tears were not yet dry in his beautiful eyes.
'Be happy.' cried the Nightingale,'be happy;you shall have your red rose. I will build it out of music by moonlight, and stain it with my own heart's blood. All that I asked of you in return is that you will be the true lover.'
The Student looked up from the grass, and listened, but he could not understand what the Nightingale was saying to him, for he only knew the things that are written down in books.
But the Oak-tree understood, and felt sad, for he was very fond of the Nightingale who had built her nest in its branches.
'Sing me one last song,'he whispered.'I shall feel when you are gone.'
So the Nightingale sang to the Oak-tree, and her voice was like water bubbling from a silver jar.
When she had finished her song, the Student got up and pulled a notebook and a pencil....
And when the Moon shone in the heavens the Nightingale flew to the red rose-tree, and set her breast against the thorn. All night long she sang, with her breast against the thorn, and the cold crystal Moon leaned down and listened. All night long she sang, and the thorn went deeper and deeper into her breast, and her life-blood ebbed away from her.
On the topmost spray of the Rose-tree, there blossomed a marvellous rose, petal following petal, as song followed song.
Do you also think 'love is better than life and what is the heart of a bird compared to the heart of a man'??
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The Nightingale and The Rose
Short StoryThis story is written by Oscar Wilde. At some point in our life, we realise that nature soothes us and shares our pains. Does nature help us when we are in trouble or in need? Read a story about how nature helps man in times of need.. So, like many...
