Then they thought themselves nightingales . Yes , the lackeys and chambermaids announced that they were pleased ; which means a great deal , for they are the most difficult people of all to satisfy . In short , the Nightingale was a real success . She had to stay at Court now ; she had her own cage , and permission to walk out twice in the day and once at night . She was given twelve servants , who each held a silken string which was fastened round her leg . There was little pleasure in flying about like this . The whole town was talking about the wonderful bird , and when two people met each other one would say ` Nightin , ' and the other ` Gale , ' and then they would both sigh and understand one another . Yes , and eleven grocer 's children were called after her , but not one of them could sing a note . One day the Emperor received a large parcel on which was written ` The Nightingale . ' ` Here is another new book about our famous bird ! ' said the Emperor . But it was not a book , but a little mechanical toy , which lay in a box -- an artificial nightingale which was like the real one , only that it was set all over with diamonds , rubies , and sapphires . When it was wound up , it could sing the piece the real bird sang , and moved its tail up and down , and glittered with silver and gold . Round its neck was a little collar on which was written , ` The Nightingale of the Emperor of Japan is nothing compared to that of the Emperor of China . ' ` This is magnificent ! ' they all said , and the man who had brought the clockwork bird received on the spot the title of ` Bringer of the Imperial First Nightingale . ' ` Now they must sing together ; what a duet we shall have ! ' And so they sang together , but their voices did not blend , for the real Nightingale sang in her way and the clockwork bird sang waltzes . ` It is not its fault ! ' said the bandmaster ; ` it keeps very good time and is quite after my style ! '
Then the artificial bird had XXXXX sing alone .
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