🧚 Opening, part 2

Everyone agreed that what the bandmaster said was correct, and the Emperor commanded that all the people of the city should be allowed to listen to the bird’s beautiful music on a certain day of the following week.1

So on the day appointed the bandmaster showed the jeweled bird to the people, and after they had heard it sing everyone said that its music was wonderful, that is all but the poor fisherman who had heard the real one, and he said: “This one looks very pretty and is quite pleasant to listen to, but its singing does not compare with that of the other.”2

The Emperor banished the real bird from the kingdom, and the artificial one was put on a golden perch by the side of his bed, and was given the title of Imperial Nightsinger.3

Several months passed away when one evening, as the Emperor lay in bed listening to it, something inside snapped, and the music stopped.4 The Royal Physician was summoned, but could do nothing.5 Then the Royal Clockmaker was called, and after examining it very carefully he took out the works, which he found to be almost worn out.6 It took him quite a long time to put these back again, but at last he got it into something like order, although he said it must not be used more than once a year, and then only for a very short time.7

Some time after this the Emperor became very ill, and as the physicians said that he could not live for more than a few days, his successor was chosen.8

The poor Emperor lay all alone in his great bed, and as everyone believed him to be dead the courtiers left him to pay their respects to the new ruler.9 But he was only in a trance, and when he came out of this he felt very lonely indeed, for there was no one to speak to him.10 He turned his head and saw the artificial bird by his bedside.11 A great longing for music came over him, and he cried: “Sing, golden bird!12 Please sing!”13

But there was no one to wind it up, and he was too weak to do this himself.14 It was so quiet, and he felt so terribly lonely and sad that he was sure he was going to die.15

Suddenly there came through the open window the sound of such beautiful music that new life came to the sick man.16 He raised his head, and saw, sitting upon the bough of a large tree, the real bird whom he had banished from his kingdom.17

“What divine singing!” said the Emperor.18 “You have given me new life in return for my unkindness in banishing you from my kingdom.19 What can I do to reward you?”20

“I need no more reward than the sight of the tears which came to your eyes when I first sang to you,” said the Nightingale.21 “That is something which I can never forget.22 But now you must sleep, and to-morrow, when you will feel much stronger, I can promise you such music as you would not believe possible.”23 The Emperor smiled happily, and fell at once into a deep, calm sleep.24

He was awakened in the morning by the sun, which was shining brightly.25 So much better did he feel that he was able to get out of bed and walk to the open window, and there his eyes beheld a wonderful sight.26

Upon every bough of the tree in front of him were perched many birds, and in the center of them sat the poor fisherman, who held to his lips a reed instrument.27 On seeing the Emperor at the window he gave a sign, and there came forth from the throats of the assembled birds such a glorious burst of melody that tears of thankfulness flowed from the Emperor’s eyes; he could scarcely believe that such wonderful music was possible.28

No longer was he a sick man.29 The bird chorus had brought back to him the health and strength which all the doctors, with their medicines, had not been able to do.30 In his gratitude to the birds he gave them the tree for their very own, and the poor fisherman he appointed bandmaster-in-chief.31

THE FAITHFUL RAJPOOT32

One morning a soldier presented himself at King Sudraka’s palace gate, and asked the porter to secure an audience for him.33

Having gained admittance to the King’s presence, he bowed and said:34

“Your Highness, I am Vira-vara, a Rajpoot, who seeks employment.”35

“What pay do you ask?” inquired the King.36

“Fifty pieces of gold a day,” replied the soldier.37

“And what will you do in return for so much money?” said the King.38

“I have two strong arms, and this sabre, which shall be devoted to your Majesty’s service,” answered the Rajpoot.39

“You ask too much,” said the King, “and I am afraid I cannot retain you, but I will confer with my Ministers about you.”40

Then the King spoke to his Ministers, who agreed that the stipend asked was very large, but advised that he be given four days’ pay, and to see what the soldier should do to earn it.41 So this was done.42

The King watched very closely to see how Vira-vara spent his pay, and found that half of it went towards the support of the Temple, a fourth was devoted to relieving the poor, and the remaining fourth only did he reserve for his own sustenance.43 This division he made at the beginning of each day, and then he would stand on guard with his sabre at the palace gate, from whence he would retire only upon receiving the royal permission.44

One very, very dark night King Sudraka thought he heard the sound of someone outside the palace gate sobbing as though stricken with deepest grief.45 He called for his guard, and Vira-vara at once appeared.46

“Did you hear a sound of weeping?” asked the King.47

“I thought I did, your Majesty,” replied the Rajpoot.48

“Then go and find out the cause,” said the King.49

The soldier at once departed on his mission, but as soon as he had gone the King repented him of sending him out alone into a night so dark that a hole might be pierced in it with a needle, so he took his scimitar, and followed his guard beyond the city gates.50

Vira-vara had not gone far when he almost stumbled over a woman who was weeping bitterly.51 By the dim light of a torch, which he had hurriedly picked up after leaving the King’s presence, he could see that she was a very beautiful and splendidly dressed lady.52

“Why do you thus lament?” asked he.53

“I am the Fortune of the King Sudraka,” answered she.54 “For a long while I lived happily in the shadow of his arm, but on the third day he will die, and therefore do I shed these bitter tears.”55

“Can anything be done, dear lady, that will prolong your stay here?” asked the Rajpoot.56

“Only one thing,” replied the Spirit, “but that I do not like to tell you.”57

“Tell me what it is, and I swear to do it, out of loyalty to my kind Master,” said the faithful guard.58

“Then,” said the Spirit Lady, “if you will cut off the head of your firstborn son, who has on his body the marks of greatness, and offer his head as a sacrifice to the all-helpful Goddess Durga, then shall I continue to be the guardian angel of the Rajah, even though he should live another hundred years.”59