"Tzo-Lin’s Nightingales" by Ben Belitt / Baffling Beasts

"Tzo-Lin’s Nightingales" is a short story by Ben Belitt. Published in Weird Tales in February 1931, it was given the following intriguing synopsis: "It was an unostentatious little Chinese shop, yet it was the scene of an incredible madness and a weird horror."
00:00 - Introduction
00:54 - Tzo-Lin’s Nightingales
21:02 - Further Listening
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Narrated by Ian Gordon for HorrorBabble
Music and production by Ian & Jennifer Gordon
Artwork by C. Barker Petrie, Jr. (Weird Tales, Feb-March 1931)
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[@ClipperHorizon]

"Tzo-Lin was an old man; a gnarled, ancient patriarch with the infinite look of one who had lived a million years - and lived them all in vain." What a compelling description. Beautiful.

[@kgreen242424]

I thought the birds were going to eat him. It reminds me of another story. I can't remember the name of the story off the top of my head but it was something "Canaries". Anyway, the Asian guy had a garden that he would torture people in. In the garden were some beautiful birds that were killers. So much so they ended up killing the guy who owned them. I was waiting for that to happen here.

[@donaldmccleary9015]

That was a good story! I think it was "The Mandarin's Canaries". It had a bit of poetic justice in it! This one was good, too.

[@kgreen242424]

@@donaldmccleary9015 That's the one

[@crazyviking24]

The birds ate Warren

[@0therun1t21]

Ooh, that one was really disturbing! The very idea of torture gardens messes me up, then there's suspiciously lifelike statues. I have a video game with statues under cloth in a couple of places. They don't do anything but I get hella nervous when they're on screen.

[@fnunez]

Interesting, I thought the same thing! I think that might have been a Robert Bloch story. A really messed up nobleman who enjoys torturing people gets his just desserts.

[@EndOfSmallSanctuary97]

The description of Tzo-Lin and his shop instantly reminded me of the extremely similiar setting in one of the Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episodes where Homer buys the Krusty doll (and frozen yoghurt).

[@chrischaplin3126]

The frogurt is also cursed.

[@jamesharrington8353]

That's bad...

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Fantastic story and narration! I would do anything to have shops like this around these days. The description of the shop is amazing. I was like a kid in a candy shop whenever the shop was described. Fantastic job, Ian! Thanks!

[@martywood8543]

Bravo HorrorBabble on another great series. Looking forward to the comp.

[@scottfree2248]

Beautiful story and narration 🕊️💀🕊️

[@rhoddryice5412]

It appears I’m not the only one who immediately think of Robert Bloch’s “The Mandarin’s Canneries” This one was good but not even close to Bloch’s story. Wonderful narration as always. Thanks Ian.

[@Eris123451]

I liked it anyway.

[@XX-yh4fq]

Nothing sends me off to my own dream scapes quite like our wonderful friends at HorrorBabble.

[@moirajamiechuma5149]

Yaaay! These stories are my only favorite thing about Mondays... Thank you HB❤

[@soulreaver1983]

Thanks as always Ian 😎👍

[@70schild420]

I look forward to all your stories ❤you and your friends do an exceptional job.the art work is as attractive as the stories❤

[@blurryface9597]

Good story, and excellent narration!!

[@AndromedaKirin]

This story has Petshop of Horrors vibes. Such an underrated manga/anime.

[@MoonLitChild]

Oh my god Iove Petshop of Horrors! I re-read it recently and it really holds up.

[@stevecausey545]

I love this one ! First time ive heard it narrated... excellent work.this unworthy Listener thanks you a thousand times...lol I always thought this was more poinenent than scary..

[@prudencestillwater2648]

Sleeping? This is an ex-nightingale!

[@0therun1t21]

I enjoyed this very much, thank you!

[@Aroundthesquarebowl]

Thank you ❤

[@bigsarge2085]

❤️‍🔥

[@ericmockler3110]

He’s pining for the fjords.

[@anthonybarnwell767]

Awww yeah mr Gordon love your channel 😊

[@stuff6218]

Wow. Vivid.

[@dirkbruere]

There's a strange simplicity about these old stories that one does not get in more modern works. My first instinct is to feel they have ended prematurely. The lack of resolution is not something modern readers like

[@nicklindberg90]

Cheers!

[@andreasfilis9001]

It seems that pagan prayers work well! Thank you Ian!

[@patkelly8309]

Too gruesome for the General Public

[@Mikehillschannel]

2/5