
A carriage carrying a widowed countess, her three children, and a loyal coachman is forced off the main road when a wheel breaks on a rough forest path. Stranded as dusk falls, the group faces uncertainty until a shepherd’s boy appears, offering to repair the wheel and guide them along a hidden footpath that promises a quicker, safer route. His resourceful suggestions and quick action bring the broken carriage back to life, allowing the party to set off again under the fading light. The journey becomes a gentle trek through low, thriving woods beside a murmuring brook, giving the travelers a rare taste of calm.
Along the way, the night is broken by the clear, melodious song of a nightingale, drawing the countess and her daughters to a nearby beech tree to listen. The bird’s sweet trill fills the quiet forest, creating a moment of peace that seems to pause time itself. As the song fades, the travelers feel a renewed sense of wonder, reminding them of the simple joys hidden within the wild.
Full title
De nachtegaal Verhalen voor de jeugd
Language
nl
Duration
~2 hours (139K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Anna Tuinman, Eline Visser and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2008-12-10
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1768–1854
A gentle priest, teacher, and storyteller, he became one of the best-known German writers for children in the 19th century. His tales were shaped by faith, kindness, and a gift for speaking to young readers without talking down to them.
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