Impératrice.

Long time no seen, huh?
I've been going through some changes in my life - I've quit my job which I consider a great decision, then I moved back to my home town for holiday - it's quiet here and I can chill out in the garden and spend lots of time cooking and reading - which is how perfect vacation should be like (if you're not having a bicycle tour round Ireland).

I also finally found some time to scan a film from around December (sic!) last year - I couldn't help but think how much the motifs used resemble some aspects of "The Nightingale" - a story by Hans Christian Andersen. The only difference being the Empress, instead of Emperor, trying to keep the wonderful bird for herself.

"The emperor was so delighted that he declared the nightingale should have his gold slipper to wear round her neck, but she declined the honor with thanks: she had been sufficiently rewarded already. “I have seen tears in an emperor’s eyes,” she said, “that is my richest reward."

"She was now to remain at court, to have her own cage, with liberty to go out twice a day, and once during the night. Twelve servants were appointed to attend her on these occasions, who each held her by a silken string fastened to her leg. There was certainly not much pleasure in this kind of flying."

"So Death gave up each of these treasures for a song; and the nightingale continued her singing. She sung of the quiet churchyard, where the white roses grow, where the elder-tree wafts its perfume on the breeze, and the fresh, sweet grass is moistened by the mourners’ tears. Then Death longed to go and see his garden, and floated out through the window in the form of a cold, white mist."

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*all quotes are taken from "The Nightingale" by Hans Christian Andersen, which can be found HERE.