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THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE ROSE

Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde is a very famous Irish writer and poet. His stories are rich with
descriptive details and impressive images. The present story pictures the supreme
sacrifice of a nightingale that proves futile.
A student is madly in love with his professors daughter. He wishes to dance with
the girl at a ball. But the girl says that she will dance with him only if he gets her a red
rose. It is winter and the student is unable to find a single red rose. He declares that his
heart would break with grief.
A nightingale listens to the outburst of the student and takes pity on him. She is able
to understand his sorrow. A little green lizard, a butterfly and a daisy too see the student
crying and wonder what the reason is. Just when the nightingale tells them the story of
the student, they laugh aloud and poke fun at him. They find it ridiculous that the student
is crying for a rose. ,
The nightingale decides to help the student. But she is unable to find a tree which
bears red roses. Finally she locates one. The rose-tree says that the severe cold had frozen
its veins and broken its branches. It would not be able to bear flowers. However, there is
a way. The nightingale would have to sing sweetly all through the night, with her breast
pressed against a thorn. Out of the music would be created a rose. The blood of the
nightingale would flow through the petals and give it a red colour. The nightingale thus
would have to give up her life if she wanted the rose. The nightingale readily agrees to
sacrifice her life for the sake of the student.
A nightingale listens to the outburst of the student and takes pity on him. The
student needs a red rose to prove his love. The nightingale is convinced that the student is
a true lover and decides to help him.

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