1. Slide 1
The Nightingale
Based on a Tale by Hans Christian Andersen
Have you heard a bird sing? What did it sound like?
Long, long ago the emperor of China lived in a magnificent palace surrounded by a huge forest. The forest was home to a bird called the nightingale. Travelers who passed through the forest said the nightingale’s song was the most beautiful song ever heard. They told stories of the joy her song could bring to those who listened.
Soon the emperor heard the stories about the nightingale. “Why haven’t I heard this remarkable bird sing?” the emperor asked his lords. “It is my wish to hear the nightingale tonight!”
So the lords asked everyone in the palace about the nightingale. At last a kitchen maid said she knew of the bird, and she led them to her.
“Sweet nightingale!” cried the lords. “Will you come to the palace tonight to sing for the emperor?” The nightingale agreed.

2. Slide 2
The Nightingale
Based on a Tale by Hans Christian Andersen (Cont.)
That evening, the nightingale appeared at the palace of the emperor. The palace had been wonderfully decorated for the event, and the little gray bird was invited to sit upon a golden perch to sing her song. When the bird was finished, the emperor’s eyes filled with tears of joy.
“Sweet nightingale,” said the emperor, “you must stay and sing your song for me every evening.” Touched by the emperor’s tears, the nightingale agreed.
So the emperor’s palace became the nightingale’s new home. The nightingale lived in a golden cage, and she had her own servants to give her food and water. Every evening the nightingale entertained a royal audience. Yet in her heart, the nightingale was not happy. She longed to be a wild creature again, living in the forest. The golden cage was not her true home.

3. Slide 3
The Nightingale
Based on a Tale by Hans Christian Andersen (Cont.)
Several weeks passed in this way. Then one day, the emperor received a package from his brother. “I have heard of your little brown bird,” wrote his brother, “but this golden bird is better!”
When the emperor unwrapped the package, he found a mechanical nightingale. Amazed by the shiny golden bird, the emperor wound it up and listened to its song. The bird’s song was not as sweet as the song of the real nightingale, but its gold feathers pleased the emperor.
That evening, when the little brown nightingale settled on her perch to sing, the emperor set the golden nightingale next to her. “You must both sing together!” the emperor declared. But the sound of the mechanical bird startled the nightingale, and she flew out the window.
“Ungrateful creature!” cried the emperor. “Fly away if you will. I still have my golden bird to sing to me!” So each night, the mechanical nightingale sang for the emperor’s amusement. The mechanical bird sounded different from the nightingale, but the emperor didn’t notice. He was dazzled by its golden feathers.

4. Slide 4
The Nightingale
Based on a Tale by Hans Christian Andersen (Cont.)
A whole year passed in this way. Each night, the emperor wound up the mechanical nightingale, and each night it sang for him. Then one night, something went wrong. Whiz! Whir! Clink, clank, clunk! A spring cracked, and the bird fell silent. The best workers in the land used their skills to try to fix it, but they could not. The golden bird could sing no more.
Without the music of the nightingale, the emperor’s days were filled with sorrow. Growing weak and ill, the emperor took to his bed. Then one terrible evening when it seemed the emperor would not live through the night, his lords heard a sweet song at the window. The real nightingale had returned, and she was singing for the emperor!
Night after night, the nightingale sang her song, and night after night, the emperor grew stronger. When the emperor was well again, he begged the little brown bird to stay with him. The nightingale knew she was a wild creature whose true home was the forest, but she wanted to please the emperor. So she promised to come each night to sing at the emperor’s window. And that is what she did.
Unit 1, Week 4
1. What shows and movies do you watch for amusement?
2. What do you do to entertain your friends and family?
3. What gives you joy?
4. What place do you long to visit?
5. What have you seen that is magnificent?
6. What remarkable bird do you know about? What makes it remarkable?
7. What skills did you learn in first grade?
8. Which might make you feel sorrow, a good friend moving far away or beginning to read a new book?
9. What does a bird do when it is startled?
10. How has a friend or family member touched you with their kindness?