The main theme in the short story “Princess September” is Freedom. The parrots gifted by the king to their daughters are encaged and are taught to speak just two words “God save the King” and “Pretty Polly“. They lack creativity because the cage is their world.

On the other hand, the nightingale is a free bird which lives her life as she wishes. This makes her creative, and interesting to the Princess September as well as the King and the Queen though she is not as attractive as the parrots.

Other princesses, like their parrots, become dull with the time and hence have unattractive looks. But Princess September grows into an attractive girl because of the freedom which she enjoys like the nightingale. Thus freedom is a must for a person to live his life happily.

Read the summary of Princess September.

Princess September is the 9th and the youngest princess of a King. The king gifts all of the princesses a parrot each. However, the parrot of Princess September dies soon leaving her alone and sorrowful. But one day, a nightingale comes to her and starts singing sweet songs turning her sorrow and grief into joy and happiness.

Unlike other princesses, she does not encage the nightingale. However, when the latter returns late to her, she finally encages her on the advice of other princesses. But soon she realises that nightingale doesn’t sing. Being wise, she frees it at once and the latter thanks to her.

As time passes, she enjoys the freedom with the nightingale while other princesses remain dull with their parrots. She grows into a beautiful lady and hence is married to a king while other princesses are married to ordinary officials of the king.

Read the summary of Princess September.