A graceful and humorous retelling of a Hans Christian Andersen classic. The Emperor of China lives in the most marvellous palace in the world, made completely of porcelain, and his garden is full of the rarest flowers. Yet loveliest of all, say visitors to his realm, is the song of the nightingale in the forest by the sea. The Emperor has never heard this nightingale, and even his courtiers, searching far and wide, cannot find her. It takes a gentle kitchen maid, true of heart, to draw the humble nightingale to court. The Emperor is enchanted by the bird's sweet song - until a bejewelled version with a mechanical tune arrives. Will the mighty ruler learn too late the value of what is simple and genuine?