The Nightingale (3)

The Nightingale (3)

  And he called his First Lord to him.

  He was so proud that if anyone of lower rank than his own ventured to speak to him, he would say nothing but " P ! "

  " Here is a most remarkable bird which is called a nightingale ! " said the Emperor.
  " They say it is the most glorious thing in my kingdom. Why has no-one ever said anything to me about it ? "

  " I have never before heard it mentioned ! " said the First Lord.
  " I will look for it and find it ! "

  But where was it to be found ?

  The First Lord ran up and down stairs, through the halls and corridors ; but none of those he met had ever heard of the Nightingale.

  And the First Lord ran again to the Emperor, and told him that it must be an invention.
  " Your Imperial Majesty cannot really believe all that is written !"

(3/21)