The New Nation - Internet Edition

The nightingale and the rose

Oscar Wilde

She said that she would dance with me if I brought her red roses," cried the young Student; "but in all my garden there is no red rose."

From her nest in the holm-oak tree the Nightingale heard him, and she looked out through the leaves, and wondered.

"No red rose in all my garden!" he cried, and his beautiful eyes filled with tears. "Ah, on what little things does happiness depend! I have read all that the wise men have written, and all the secrets of philosophy are mine, yet for want of a red rose is my life made wretched."

"Here at last is a true lover," said the Nightingale. "Night after night have I sung of him, though I knew him not: night after night have I told his story to the stars, and now I see him. His hair is dark as the hyacinth-blossom, and his lips are red as the rose of his desire; but passion has made his face like pale ivory, and sorrow has set her seal upon his brow."

"The Prince gives a ball to-morrow night," murmured the young Student, "and my love will be of the company. If I bring her a red rose she will dance with me till dawn. If I bring her a red rose, I shall hold her in my arms, and she will lean her head upon my shoulder, and her hand will be clasped in mine. But there is no red rose in my garden, so I shall sit lonely, and she will pass me by. She will have no heed of me, and my heart will break."

"Here indeed is the true lover," said the Nightingale. "What I sing of, he suffers -- what is joy to me, to him is pain. Surely Love is a wonderful thing. It is more precious than emeralds, and dearer than fine opals. Pearls and pomegranates cannot buy it, nor is it set forth in the marketplace. It may not be purchased of the merchants, nor can it be weighed out in the balance for gold."

"The musicians will sit in their gallery," said the young Student, "and play upon their stringed instruments, and my love will dance to the sound of the harp and the violin. She will dance so lightly that her feet will not touch the floor, and the courtiers in their gay dresses will throng round her. But with me she will not dance, for I have no red rose to give her"; and he flung himself down on the grass, and buried his face in his hands, and wept.

"Why is he weeping?" asked a little Green Lizard, as he ran past him with his tail in the air.

"Why, indeed?" said a Butterfly, who was fluttering about after a sunbeam.

"Why, indeed?" whispered a Daisy to his neighbour, in a soft, low voice.

"He is weeping for a red rose," said the Nightingale.

"For a red rose?" they cried; "how very ridiculous!" and the little Lizard, who was something of a cynic, laughed outright.

But the Nightingale understood the secret of the Student's sorrow, and she sat silent in the oak-tree, and thought about the mystery of Love.

Suddenly she spread her brown wings for flight, and soared into the air. She passed through the grove like a shadow, and like a shadow she sailed across the garden.

In the centre of the grass-plot was standing a beautiful Rose-tree, and when she saw it she flew over to it, and lit upon a spray.

"Give me a red rose," she cried, "and I will sing you my sweetest song."

But the Tree shook its head.

"My roses are white," it answered; "as white as the foam of the sea, and whiter than the snow upon the mountain. But go to my brother who grows round the old sun-dial, and perhaps he will give you what you want."

So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing round the old sun-dial.

"Give me a red rose," she cried, "and I will sing you my sweetest song."

But the Tree shook its head.

"My roses are yellow," it answered; "as yellow as the hair of the mermaiden who sits upon an amber throne, and yellower than the daffodil that blooms in the meadow before the mower comes with his scythe. But go to my brother who grows beneath the Student's window, and perhaps he will give you what you want."

So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing beneath the Student's window.

"Give me a red rose," she cried, "and I will sing you my sweetest song."

But the Tree shook its head.

"My roses are red," it answered, "as red as the feet of the dove, and redder than the great fans of coral that wave and wave in the ocean-cavern. But the winter has chilled my veins, and the frost has nipped my buds, and the storm has broken my branches, and I shall have no roses at all this year."

"One red rose is all I want," cried the Nightingale, "only one red rose! Is there no way by which I can get it?"

"There is a way," answered the Tree; "but it is so terrible that I dare not tell it to you."

"Tell it to me," said the Nightingale, "I am not afraid."

"If you want a red rose," said the Tree, "you must build it out of music by moonlight, and stain it with your own heart's-blood. You must sing to me with your breast against a thorn. All night long you must sing to me, and the thorn must pierce your heart, and your life-blood must flow into my veins, and become mine."

"Death is a great price to pay for a red rose," cried the Nightingale, "and Life is very dear to all. It is pleasant to sit in the green wood, and to watch the Sun in his chariot of gold, and the Moon in her chariot of pearl. Sweet is the scent of the hawthorn, and sweet are the bluebells that hide in the valley, and the heather that blows on the hill. Yet Love is better than Life, and what is the heart of a bird compared to the heart of a man?"

So she spread her brown wings for flight, and soared into the air. She swept over the garden like a shadow, and like a shadow she sailed through the grove.

The young Student was still lying on the grass, where she had left him, and the tears were not yet dry in his beautiful eyes.

"Be happy," cried the Nightingale, "be happy; you shall have your red rose. I will build it out of music by moonlight, and stain it with my own heart's-blood. All that I ask of you in return is that you will be a true lover, for Love is wiser than Philosophy, though she is wise, and mightier than Power, though he is mighty. Flame-coloured are his wings, and coloured like flame is his body. His lips are sweet as honey, and his breath is like frankincense."

The Student looked up from the grass, and listened, but he could not understand what the Nightingale was saying to him, for he only knew the things that are written down in books.

But the Oak-tree understood, and felt sad, for he was very fond of the little Nightingale who had built her nest in his branches.

"Sing me one last song," he whispered; "I shall feel very lonely when you are gone."

So the Nightingale sang to the Oak-tree, and her voice was like water bubbling from a silver jar.

When she had finished her song the Student got up, and pulled a note-book and a lead-pencil out of his pocket.

"She has form," he said to himself, as he walked away through the grove-"that cannot be denied to her; but has she got feeling? I am afraid not. In fact, she is like most artists; she is all style, without any sincerity. She would not sacrifice herself for others. She thinks merely of music, and everybody knows that the arts are selfish. Still, it must be admitted that she has some beautiful notes in her voice. What a pity it is that they do not mean anything, or do any practical good." And he went into his room, and lay down on his little pallet-bed, and began to think of his love; and, after a time, he fell asleep.

And when the Moon shone in the heavens the Nightingale flew to the Rose-tree, and set her breast against the thorn. All night long she sang with her breast against the thorn, and the cold crystal Moon leaned down and listened. All night long she sang, and the thorn went deeper and deeper into her breast, and her life-blood ebbed away from her.

She sang first of the birth of love in the heart of a boy and a girl. And on the top-most spray of the Rose-tree there blossomed a marvellous rose, petal following petal, as song followed song. Pale was it, at first, as the mist that hangs over the river-pale as the feet of the morning, and silver as the wings of the dawn. As the shadow of a rose in a mirror of silver, as the shadow of a rose in a water-pool, so was the rose that blossomed on the topmost spray of the Tree.

But the Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against the thorn. "Press closer, little Nightingale," cried the Tree, "or the Day will come before the rose is finished."

So the Nightingale pressed closer against the thorn, and louder and louder grew her song, for she sang of the birth of passion in the soul of a man and a maid.

And a delicate flush of pink came into the leaves of the rose, like the flush in the face of the bridegroom when he kisses the lips of the bride. But the thorn had not yet reached her heart, so the rose's heart remained white, for only a Nightingale's heart's-blood can crimson the heart of a rose.

And the Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against the thorn. "Press closer, little Nightingale," cried the Tree, "or the Day will come before the rose is finished."

So the Nightingale pressed closer against the thorn, and the thorn touched her heart, and a fierce pang of pain shot through her. Bitter, bitter was the pain, and wilder and wilder grew her song, for she sang of the Love that is perfected by Death, of the Love that dies not in the tomb.

And the marvellous rose became crimson, like the rose of the eastern sky. Crimson was the girdle of petals, and crimson as a ruby was the heart.

But the Nightingale's voice grew fainter, and her little wings began to beat, and a film came over her eyes. Fainter and fainter grew her song, and she felt something choking her in her throat.

Then she gave one last burst of music. The white Moon heard it, and she forgot the dawn, and lingered on in the sky. The red rose heard it, and it trembled all over with ecstasy, and opened its petals to the cold morning air. Echo bore it to her purple cavern in the hills, and woke the sleeping shepherds from their dreams. It floated through the reeds of the river, and they carried its message to the sea.

"Look, look!" cried the Tree, "the rose is finished now"; but the Nightingale made no answer, for she was lying dead in the long grass, with the thorn in her heart.

And at noon the Student opened his window and looked out.

"Why, what a wonderful piece of luck!" he cried; "here is a red rose! I have never seen any rose like it in all my life. It is so beautiful that I am sure it has a long Latin name"; and he leaned down and plucked it.

Then he put on his hat, and ran up to the Professor's house with the rose in his hand.

The daughter of the Professor was sitting in the doorway winding blue silk on a reel, and her little dog was lying at her feet.

"You said that you would dance with me if I brought you a red rose," cried the Student. "Here is the reddest rose in all the world. You will wear it to-night next your heart, and as we dance together it will tell you how I love you."

But the girl frowned.

"I am afraid it will not go with my dress," she answered; "and, besides, the Chamberlain's nephew has sent me some real jewels, and everybody knows that jewels cost far more than flowers."

"Well, upon my word, you are very ungrateful," said the Student angrily; and he threw the rose into the street, where it fell into the gutter, and a cart-wheel went over it.

"Ungrateful!" said the girl. "I tell you what, you are very rude; and, after all, who are you? Only a Student. Why, I don't believe you have even got silver buckles to your shoes as the Chamberlain's nephew has"; and she got up from her chair and went into the house.

"What I a silly thing Love is," said the Student as he walked away. "It is not half as useful as Logic, for it does not prove anything, and it is always telling one of things that are not going to happen, and making one believe things that are not true. In fact, it is quite unpractical, and, as in this age to be practical is everything, I shall go back to Philosophy and study Metaphysics."

So he returned to his room and pulled out a great dusty book, and began to read.

Language helps to attain intellectual maturity

Md. Khairul Anam

Education is one of the most significant elements of socialization process. It can be fundamentally divided into two types: Formal education and informal education. But the ultimate goal of all kinds of education is to develop the latent talent as well as inner qualities of a person so that he can make his life meaningful and take part in the development process of his beloved motherland and contribute something for the welfare of mankind.

In real sense education is a life- long process. It is not confined to formal educational institutions only. Rather man can develop his intellectual maturity, knowledge and wisdom from a lot of informal sources. In spite of this, for fulfilling his unquenchable thirst for knowledge in a balanced way and ensuring for him the required facilities systematically, the necessity of formal or institutional education can't be ignored at all. In our country, formal educational activities are being implemented in four stages. Secondary level education is an integral part of our education system. At secondary stage, learners have to study in the school for five years. For widening mental horizon, enriching mental faculty and developing hidden thought of the learners, secondary education is very essential.

The wave of information technology, globalization and modernization process has already changed the mode and trend of the developed countries. For this reason, the teaching methodologies and strategies of these countries are gradually changing in different ways. To keep pace with the changing world situation, we have to improve our education system and provide suitable and time-befitting training opportunities for the teachers. With a view to ensuring quality education at secondary level, the Teaching Quality Improvement in Secondary Education Project (TQI-SEP), under the Ministry of Education, is implementing a sophisticated, comprehensive and effective training programme, entitled 'Continuous Professional Development (CPD)' training for the secondary teachers on various subjects. Recently the TQI-SEP authority has taken an epoch-making initiative to train up the English teachers. To materialize the training programme, previously the trainers were trained skillfully at IER, Dhaka University and NAEM, Dhaka under the overall supervision of the TQI-SEP authority. After the successful completion of a 21-day CPD training course on English, at present the training of the third batch is going on at different Govt. T.T. Colleges efficaciously.

In fact CPD training on English is an in-service dynamic and comprehensive training course. This training is very indispensable for the secondary English teachers for the following reasons: Teaching is indeed an art and even a refined technology. Teaching methodology is deeply influenced by the development of science and technology . So the art and techniques of teaching should be rectified for the overall development of the education system. In this regard, the CPD training course is obviously a blessing for the English teachers. This programme provides the teachers with proper motivation and stimulation for making their classrooms lively, effective and meaningful. Different well-planned and nicely-designed activities of the training sessions enrich and enlighten their mental and psychological factors and make them confident and career-oriented . This training encourages them to establish effective professional relationship and cordiality with the colleagues. It promotes their positive ideas, views, attitudes, belief so that they can develop their professional skill.

To make the training programme a success, the following strategies, approaches, and teachniques are being applied: (i) Active and spontaneous participation in different activities through participatory method (ii) Applying learner-centred teaching approach (iii) To acquaint the trainees with the English language learning opportunities in the English text books. (iv) To evaluate the capacity, quality and realization power of the trainees a pre-test and a post-test are arranged for them on the first day and last day of the training programme respectively (v) The course contents and activities are designed to enrich four basic language skills. But special emphasis is given on speaking skill (vi) To ensure equal learning opportunities, the trainees are given a clear and practical idea of inclusive education (vii) To evaluate overall performance and to observe the dimension of achievement of the trainees, microteaching methodology is arranged in different sessions. (viii) Motivating and inspiring them tremendously to prepare, collect and use teaching aids and materials. (ix) Arranging pair work and group work in a large and crowded class is very tough and difficult. For overcoming this problem, trainees are shown different alternative and proper ways. (x) To invigorate them creating an English speaking zone in their respective institutions. (xi) For widening their outlook, views and attitudes regarding teaching process, the trainess are nicely motivated in every session. (xii) some recreational and co-curricular activities like study tour, recitation, songs etc are arranged in order that they can take such endeavours in their respective working places (xiii) Despite making many mistakes, trainess are strongly encouraged to speak English during the training sessions so that they can apply the same techniques in their real classroom situation. (xiv) Developing some deep-rooted qualities liked punctuality, mutual respect, modesty, politeness and so on (xv) Showing them the ways and techniques of effective monitoring, observation etc..

Actually CPD training course aims at bringing desirable behavioural change and acquainting the trainees with effective teaching methodology and pedagogy for their proper professional development. The expectations of this training programme to the trained teachers are many. Some remarkable aspects can be mentioned here. After returning to their working places, the trained teachers will establish congenial relationship with their colleagues. They will illustrate the modern and latest approaches of teaching to them. They will have to take initiatives to make cluster groups involving the English teachers of different schools . All the members of the group will share their ideas, views and experiences and thus they will be able to overcome various difficulties . The trained teachers have to practice 'reflection' or self-evaluation. For this purpose, they should keep a reflective diary. Just after going back to the schools, they should contact the Head teachers and explain different key points and strategies of the training to them. To overcome the shortcomings and create a true English atmosphere in the classroom, they will have to motivate the Head teachers to provide necessary assistance and cooperation. It is also one of the moral obligations of the trained teachers to invigorate their colleagues to establish an 'English Corner,' to prepare and use teaching aids and resources, to introduce mutual observation strategy, to make collaborative lesson plan, to arrange workshop, short training etc.

True to say, training is nothing but sharing ideas, equipping oneself with new values, norms, strategies, approaches and methodologies, ensuring behavioural change, making one perfect in his own profession. In this regard CPD training programme on English is certainly a benediction for the secondary English teachers. But this course has some limitations also . For reaching the desired destination, different technical and infrastructural facilities and necessary resources should be inc reased. In fine, it can be opined that in course of time the CPD training on English will bring a vital change and excellent outcome in teaching and leaning English at Secondary level.

Book Review: Focusses on the book O United Nations

A tribute to O United Nations

Dr. Rabia Bhuiyan

O United Nations---written by Shna M. A. Sayeed, and published by Bangladesh Political Science Association--- is exceptionally thought provoking and a beautiful prosaic poetic presentation of the role of United Nations in the past, present and future, a kind of work never done before. With honesty and strength in conviction, the author has most courageously addressed the UN and pointed out the achievements and failures of the UN with proposals and recommendations for a strong and effective United Nations--- a most commendable work indeed. Both conceptually and pragmatically the book O United Nations is filled with meaningful and inspiring expression and can be treated as first hand information for everybody who is interested in the United Nations. The book has universal appeal, and echoes the voice of the peoples of the world irrespective of race, religion, caste, creed, men and women.

[ Dr. Rabia Bhuiyan, Barrister-at-Law, Visiting Professor, Cornwell University, USA, Principal, Bhuiyan Academy, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and Former Minister of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh].

An evaluation of the book 'O United Nations'

Dr. Shah Alam

Sinha M. A. Sayeed's innovative creation 'O United Nations' ---which has been brought to light by Bangladesh Political Science Association--- is a very beautiful, colorful and inspiring publication. It really indicates his deep knowledge of the UN as well as his good understanding of the contemporary global problems.

The book also indicates his sincere love for the world organization expressed in good artistic form. Although his style is prosaic, the poetry has been very sweet and lucid. It merits world wide readership.

[Dr. Shah Alam, Professor and Founder Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh].

Poem

To the Creator

In the meadows the cow-boys playing in a pensive mood

To enjoy lives with no borrow, no anxiety,

But to depend on their destiny,

Only to satisfy their lord's necessity.

Cuckoo sings on the bough and playing pleasantly,

Jll-fated boys to listen to their tunes

And tuning own pipes in a skilled hand,

which turns the widows to their couple's soul

Departed a few years back to the eternity.

To count their sin and vice approximately.

Green crops and fields spread a sheet of pleasure

Waving and noding heads with measure

To comply with creation of nature

Cereal for our hunger to meet up

Daily expectation,

Fruits and water to serve our passion.

Cattle and poultry for our health and plysique,

To cure in disease by milk and wine

Gratitude to show Him by thine.

Wind blows to heal you

And your community.

Trees and plants give the food and luxuries

To bend and vow to the Creator for His mercy

That's why beasts and birds saying

prayer devotedly in privacy.

The cat and the mouse

Oh, mouse! "You're very nice to me"

"I'm a tiny creature! what can I do to thee?"

"But why're you too far? come forward!"

The mouse with a trembling heart to him answered

"It's a great fear to see thyne moustache

Always ready I'm to be detached".

The greedy cat inviting him to dinner

Didn't know the mouse, last to suffer,

Hesitating to be entertained thereon

The mouse trying to get admission

The cat flattered too much to his guest

Admired him graciously to his best.

Chilly mouse as soon as got into the den,

The cat having no delay jumped ov'r then,

Seeking pardon again and again

The mouse fell on the ground

Lastly the way to save him not found.

The greedy cat heartily and merrily

Has its stomach in full

Thus the mouse becomes fool

And dies, hear we no more his 'call.'

-Md. Maiz Uddin

Tonight

For us this night is very memorable forever.

The sky is on the top within dim star's cover

When both of us have happiness and fever,

Just then the moon is shinning from over.

This charming night is only for you and me.

Love each other to keep head on the knee.

If wish; the moon, stars and nature can see.

Others are sleeping to night so we are free.

Talk, keeps hand in hands and heads to bend,

At smiling face, like more than bosom friend,

Tonight, on the beautiful soundless land and,

Hope and believe that this night never end.

Forget eternally all misery and pathetic past.

Our heartfelt deep love remains till last,

And aspiration will fulfil within short time,

But should try to pass our lives without crime.

In the sky there are many bright and dim stars.

Twinkling star's light is coming from too far.

Now, in our hearts and minds, there is no fear,

Because tonight, we are staying very near.

This night is the night for love, hope and dream!

Souls and minds are exciting with moon-beam.

Stream of love passing over the heaven's brim,

And time is passing like watching amazing film.

Don't like, let the night to become fade or die.

To this hopeful night, not like to say goodbye.

As birds and fairies, like to fly in the free sky,

And like to see all beauty of mystery with eye.

May be this night can offer more than heaven

All grieves, malice and baits just has graven.

If heavenly angels like then can come down

To see our joy that more than with royal crown.

Long time we have been waiting for tonight

To see calm and bright magnificent natural sight.

Both of us agree and ready to celebrate a rite,

With blessing of God like to establish our night.

Tonight, with heartbeats we talk by closely sit.

Star's dim light and night breeze come to meet.

God's heaven and being's nature are our witness.

Giving special thanks to God for this loveliness!

-Julian Parrish