A little nightingale named Nico resided among towering trees and daisies in a peaceful area of the forest. Nico had a lovely brown voice that no one seemed to notice, and he was little. He was not as colorful or able to soar as high as the other birds.
He was frequently teased by the larger birds.
“You look like a flying bug with your short wings,” a crow said.
“Who would ever want to hear a bird that small?” A loud parrot squawked.
Nico lowered his head, feeling lonely. He had no friends, and even though he sang every day, no one seemed to care.
Nico sat on a limb one morning when the mist was still hovering over the woodland floor. Shutting his eyes, he started singing. It was a gentle, lovely tune that was both melancholy and hopeful. He sung of his want for a buddy and how it felt to be little and alone.
Nico was unaware that his music had been heard by someone so far away.
A big brown bear named Bruno had just woken up from a nap. His ears perked up.
“What is that music?” he asked, surprised. “It’s beautiful!”
Bruno followed the sound, walking carefully through the trees. He stepped over roots, crossed a stream, and finally came to the tree where Nico was singing, unaware he had an audience.
Bruno approached quietly. When Nico opened his eyes and saw the huge bear looking up at him, he trembled in fear.
“P-please don’t eat me!” Nico squeaked.
Bruno gave a warm smile.
“Eat you? No way! I just came because I heard your song… and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. It made me feel calm. It made me happy.”
Nico stared in surprise.
“Really?”
“Yes,” Bruno said gently. “Would you like to be my friend? I’d love to hear your music every day.”
Nico and Bruno were the best of friends after that. Bruno would listen with a calm grin every morning as Nico sang from the highest branch he could reach.
Soon, other forest animals began to gather too, drawn by the nightingale’s lovely song. Even the big birds who once teased Nico came to listen. Some even apologized.
“We’re sorry,” said the crow. “Your voice is amazing.”
And so, the forest changed. Every dawn was now filled with music, and animals big and small gathered together to listen to the little nightingale whose song had brought them all together.
Because sometimes, the smallest ones… hold the greatest magic.
If you enjoyed the story of The Bear and The Nightingale, we invite you to share our bedtime stories with your children. They will learn valuable lessons and develop a love for reading
