Ep 2. The Nightingale

Faerie Tale Theatre season 2 episode 2 is titled "The Nightingale." It is a retelling of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about a Chinese emperor who becomes enamored with the beautiful song of a nightingale. The episode stars Mick Jagger as the narrator and features a cast of acclaimed actors portraying the various characters.

The story begins with the emperor of China, played by Edward James Olmos, hearing about a nightingale whose song is said to be the most beautiful in the world. He orders his courtiers to find the bird and bring it to him, but they return empty-handed, unable to capture the elusive creature. However, the emperor soon discovers that the nightingale is living nearby in the forest and decides to go listen to its song himself.

Upon hearing the nightingale's enchanting melody, the emperor is moved to tears. He requests that the bird stay at the palace and sing for him every night. The nightingale agrees to do so, charming the court with its beautiful voice. However, when a new mechanical bird is presented to the emperor, he becomes obsessed with its artificial song and neglects the nightingale.

When the emperor falls gravely ill, he realizes his mistake and begs the nightingale to return and sing for him once more. The bird agrees, and its song has a miraculous effect on the emperor's health, curing him of his illness. From then on, the emperor sees the true value of the nightingale's song and learns to appreciate its beauty all over again.

Overall, "The Nightingale" is a heartwarming and poignant tale about the power of true art and the value of appreciating the simple things in life. With a talented cast and plenty of magical twists and turns, this episode of Faerie Tale Theatre is sure to enchant viewers of all ages.