W. Somerset Maugham
Princess September and the Nightingale
eBook
(A. J. Cornell Publications June 29, 2015)
The short story “Princess September and the Nightingale,” W. Somerset Maugham’s only fairy tale, was originally published—with the title “The Princess and the Nightingale”—in December 1922 in “Good Housekeeping” in the U.S. and, simultaneously, in “Pearson’s Magazine” in the UK. Note: Some hardcover reprints of this title include illustrations; this Kindle edition does not. The story concerns Princess September of Siam, who, unlike here eight older sisters, prefers a pet nightingale of beautiful voice to a pet parrot of beautiful plumage. Her dilemma is whether to keep her nightingale encaged or to set him free to fly over lakes, trees and fields.
Upon publication, Maugham explained how the story came about: “A very special Doll’s House is being constructed for the Queen of England to be placed at Windsor Castle, and every department of an English home such as a King and Queen might live in is to be there, including of course a library. This is to consist of a collection of miniature volumes, written by various authors of the present day in their own hands, which are then to be suitably bound. ‘The Princess and the Nightingale’ is my contribution to this library.”
Sample passage:
When she awoke next day, the little bird was still sitting there, and as she opened her eyes he said, “Good morning.” The Maids of Honor brought in her breakfast, and he ate rice out of her hand, and he had his bath in her saucer. He drank out of it, too. The Maids of Honor said they didn’t think it was very polite to drink one’s bathwater, but the Princess September said that was the artistic temperament. When he had finished his breakfast, he began to sing again so beautifully that the Maids of Honor were quite surprised, for they had never heard anything like it, and the Princess September was very proud and happy.
About the author:
W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) was a British novelist, short-story writer, and playwright. Notable novels are “Of Human Bondage,” “The Moon and Sixpence,” and “The Razor’s Edge.”
Upon publication, Maugham explained how the story came about: “A very special Doll’s House is being constructed for the Queen of England to be placed at Windsor Castle, and every department of an English home such as a King and Queen might live in is to be there, including of course a library. This is to consist of a collection of miniature volumes, written by various authors of the present day in their own hands, which are then to be suitably bound. ‘The Princess and the Nightingale’ is my contribution to this library.”
Sample passage:
When she awoke next day, the little bird was still sitting there, and as she opened her eyes he said, “Good morning.” The Maids of Honor brought in her breakfast, and he ate rice out of her hand, and he had his bath in her saucer. He drank out of it, too. The Maids of Honor said they didn’t think it was very polite to drink one’s bathwater, but the Princess September said that was the artistic temperament. When he had finished his breakfast, he began to sing again so beautifully that the Maids of Honor were quite surprised, for they had never heard anything like it, and the Princess September was very proud and happy.
About the author:
W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) was a British novelist, short-story writer, and playwright. Notable novels are “Of Human Bondage,” “The Moon and Sixpence,” and “The Razor’s Edge.”
- Pages
- 48
Enjoy reading Princess September and the Nightingale? You may also like these books
-
W. Somerset Maugham
The Explorer
Paperback (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Aug. 25, 2018) -
W. Somerset Maugham
The Trembling of a Leaf Little Stories of the South Sea Islands
Paperback (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform March 4, 2016) -
W.Somerset Maugham
New Windmills: "The Kite" and Other Stories
Hardcover (Heinemann Educational Books - Secondary Division March 4, 1963)
