Unit 5: Princess September

Under the circumstances – After Princess September’s sisters advised her about the singing bird, she was really worried about him. She feared that the little bird might forget her and start liking someone else and that she might lose her little lovely pet.

A very unfortunate remark – When the little bird returned, he said that he would not have come back that night at all as his father-in-law was giving a party and everyone wanted him to stay. However, the bird returned as he felt that the Princess might be worried if he didn’t return on time.

1. Princess September put the little bird in a cage to ensure the safety of her pet.
2. The bird didn’t like being trapped in a cage and felt like he was imprisoned. He felt that he had lost his freedom and gradually stopped singing and eating.

The bird said that he loves nature and he couldn’t stay happy and normal if he was kept in a cage. He would not be able to enjoy the rice fields, the lake and the willow trees as they would look quite different and dull when seen through the cage bars.

1. Princess September felt very bad when she saw her little pet lie lifeless inside the cage as he had stopped singing and eating too. This persuaded the Princess to let the little bird enjoy his freedom in the open air. Otherwise, she feared that he would die in captivity.
2. The bird was filled with joy and happiness when the Princess freed him from the golden cage. He opened his wings and flew right away into the blue in far lands and promised the Princess that he would return and sing songs for her whenever she wanted.

1. Princess September kept her window open day and night. This helped the little bird to come into her room and leave whenever he wanted.
2. By keeping the window open day and night, it provided the Princess with fresh wind and natural light. This contributed to her beauty as she was exposed to the beautiful benefits of nature.

The eight sisters who kept their windows shut grew up to be extremely ugly and disagreeable. They were later married off to the King’s Councillors with a pound of tea and a Siamese cat.