The Laborer and the Nightingale
The
Laborer and the Nightingale
A Laborer lay
listening to a Nightingale’s song throughout the summer night. So pleased was
he with it that the next night he set a trap for it and captured it. “Now that
I have caught thee,” he cried, “thou shalt always sing to me.” “We Nightingales
never sing in a cage.” Said the bird. “Then I’ll eat thee.” Said the Laborer. “I
have always heard say that a nightingale on toast is dainty morsel.” “Nay, kill
me not,” said the Nightingale, “but let me free, and I’ll tell thee three
things far better worth than my poor body.” The Laborer let him loose, and he
flew up to a branch of a tree and said. “Never believe a captive’s promise,
that’s one thing. Then again, keep what you have. And the third piece of advice is,
sorrow not over what is lost forever.” Then the song-bird flew away.
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