THE PARROT'S SONG.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 7, 9 January 1926, Page 26

THE PARROT'S SONG.

I. In a jungle in Africa many beautifully j plumaged birds sat perched on ft greac I tree) deep in thought. The problem was; Why did the parrot never make otic ■ I sound? Yes,' it was true that the parrot nevei' made a sound. He ate in silence I (he was a good-mannered bird), and he I flew I'd 6ilence, and he was silent, j " The only thing to do is not to speak to him. Take no notice of him and he will feel lonely," said the cockatoo wisely. "Yes, yes! Here, here!" chirped the birds in chorus. . But what of the parrot? What was his real reason for keeping silent? His reason was that he wanted a song different from everyone else. He soon found the'birds -would not speak to him, but he, in turn, took no notice of thorn. All the same, he was not hftppy. One day he came across some natives who were* talking. /'What a queer sound they make." thought the parrot. "HI copy them." The parrot copied the queer sounds, and how happy he felt. Hβ- flew back to the other birds and explained why lie could not help 'being silent, and they a once made friends. When the white mail"" came to Africa the parrot copied him, and he was happy, for he had a song of his own. INFORMATION, PLEASE! Is a Cassowary -wary as its name would indicate? ... Would a Gnu you knew be recogmsea anew ? , . Could a vacillating Ocelot he earn to oscillate? .„ Would a LJaina lam a Lamb that came in Could a Cheetah cheat a Cheetah? Would a bull'bullroze them both? Could an Armadillo arm a dilettant7 Since a sloth Is loth to effort, is it ever loth to sloth? , Would an Antelope with any kind of ant/ Can a Bear bear barricading in a barren berry clump? , Would a Tzetse-fly sot secretly to sea< Could a drama in a dairy make a Dromedary hump? Would a Beaver bo veracious to a B^'. Would a Carib boo a Carlboa if they ehouM ever meet? . Would a Boa beau a Boa to a dance. Is there hair on any Heron? Can a Beetle beat a beet? , Can a Beagle be gulled easily, by chance/ Can a Tern turn turnips over? Can a sculpln scuip in clay? Is a Mussel food for muscle or for brain. In what sort of rndiant raiment should the style array n ray? Does a Reindeer reign his ranges in tne rain? These are just some simplo questions that have rambled through my mind While observing how the course of Nature runs. , And I'd like to ask Komo others, but 1 must confess I find I've unfortunately used up all my pun? I TONGUE-TWISTERS. Cricket critic. She sells sea shells. Six thick thistle sticks. I flesh of freshly-fried flying fish, j The sea ceaseth and it sufficetli us. ! Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper. If Peter Piper picked a peck <h> pickled pepper, where's the peck of pickled pepper Peter Piper picked Try repeating each of the above sentences quickly half a dozen times. SHADOWS. I The moon is risen, and without a sound They write their welcome songs along t" ground. —From the Japanese (rage).