THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE ROSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE ROSE.

The legend of the nightingale and the rose comes from Persia, the land of roses, whence the lovely flowers are supposed to have spread all over the world. Once upon a time, it is said, a great company of birds flew to the palace of the Shah of Persia arid demanded an audience. The Shah was amazed, but ha ordered the doors and windows to be opened for their admission. In flocked all the birds and settled themselves in a great ring round the throne. "Ybttr Majesty," said the dove, "we cannot sleep because of the song of the nightingale. Night after night his plaintive voice keeps us awake, and we can do nothing to prevent him from singing." "I see he is not here to defend himseld," said the Shah. "Send for him immediately." The little brown bird was brought in, and he looked very frightened when the Shah asked him sternly why he sang at night. Then from the nightingale's small throat came a rush of the sweetest notes the Shah had ever heard, and the bird confessed his secret. He told them that he loved the rose so dearly tha,t he could not bear to see it plucked. Night after night he mourned the blossoms which had been gathered, and where the rose went he followed. "All over the world thfe nightingale is singing to his beloved, the rose," finished the little brown bird. All the birds went away without saying another word.