The Golden-Breasted Kootoo, and Other Stories

A whimsical kingdom lives for music, where a monarch surrounds himself with brass, strings, a rubber band and even a lone jews‑harp player. The king’s days are filled with nonstop melodies, and at night delicate music‑boxes lull him to sleep. Yet one restless afternoon he decides he must learn to sing so he can carry his love of sound into the forest without frightening the beasts.

He summons his chief musician, who tries to coax a note from the ruler, only to discover the king’s voice is stubbornly monophonic. Frustrated, the king orders the musician’s execution and calls for a second instructor, hoping a cleverer approach will unlock his hidden talent. The new teacher, sensing both danger and possibility, asks for a day to devise a plan that might finally free the king’s voice.

The story unfolds with gentle satire, playful language, and a parade of eccentric characters, inviting listeners into a world where the pursuit of a single note becomes a grand, comical adventure.