Set in ancient China, this magical tale by Hans Christian Andersen - author of The Little Mermaid and The Emperor's New Clothes - is about the special friendship between a powerful, prideful emperor and a humble little bird who lives in the woods outside his palace.  When a mechanical nightingale is sent to the emperor as a tribute, his affections shift, and the real bird is shunned.

   Soon, the Emperor's cold, selfish heart causes darkness to fall upon the palace, and he becomes gravely ill - the only cure being the return of true friendship.  Of course, there is a happy ending.