In Oscar Wilde's "The Nightingale and the Rose," a young student longs for a red rose to win the affection of his beloved, who has promised to dance with him if he brings her one. Desperate, the Nightingale, who overhears the student's sorrow, decides to help. She seeks a red rose and learns from a rose-tree that it can be created only if she sacrifices herself by singing with her heart pressed against a thorn, staining the rose with her blood.
Despite the great pain, the Nightingale sings all night, creating a beautiful crimson rose. In the morning, the student finds the rose and presents it to his love. However, she dismisses the rose, preferring the jewels given by another suitor. Heartbroken and disillusioned, the student discards the rose and abandons love, returning to his studies, never realizing the depth of the Nightingale's sacrifice.