The student in the story ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’ is very romantic, sensitive and passionate. He feels depressed when he fails to get a red rose for his beloved. ‘Sorrow has set her seal upon his brow’ and he feels lonely. His studies did not make him wise. He is blind with love. So he does not understand the true nature of the girl. He thinks’ she will have no heed of me, and my heart will break.’ He is sincere in his love. So he weeps thinking of his ill fate. The Nightingale feels pity and decides to sacrifice its life for the sake of the boy.
Finally, when he gets the red rose, he rushes to his beloved. She tells him, ‘I am afraid it will not go with my dress.’ She says that the Chamberlain’s nephew has sent her precious jewels. She rejects him by saying that jewels cost far more than flowers. The Student finally realizes that his lover is ungrateful. He throws the flower into the street. The poor lover walks away saying, ‘What a silly thing love is!’ The ending of the story makes us think seriously about issues like love, sacrifice, greed, etc.
