PARROT'S LONG LIFE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 261, 4 November 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

PARROT'S LONG LIFE.

HOW IT WAS GRANTED. Once, long long ago, Jupiter, the god of the heavens, had an idea to make mankind happy. Ho thought for a' minute; then, he called seven stars to hiin. The stars hurried to obeys and drew up in a row. The people stared at tho sky in astonishment at seeing seven stars shooting through space, and leaving silvery tracks behind. The. seven stars cried out together, "Here we are, most splendid king. What would you with us?" "I have thought to make men happy," answered Jupiter, "but as they may not believe in their good luck if I give it to them for nothing I want you to find a price." "Wo will do as you command,' great king," answered the stars, "but what shall we sell to men?" "March past me one by one," ordered Jupiter. The stars fell into line and marched forward as they had been bidden. Jupiter said to the first, "You shall sell wisdom"; to the second he said "virtue"; to the third, "health"; to the fourth, "long life"; to the fifth, "honour"; to the sixth, "pleasure"; and to the seventh, "riches." "And now go," he said to the stars. "And sell as many of your heavenly goods as you can." Soon the fourth star was crying out: "Who wishes for long life ? Who would live for ever? Buy length of years! Buy! Buy!" At the sound of his voice everyone crowded around him crying: "Long life! Long life! Here's my money. Oh, take my money, please take my money." "All in good time, ladies and gentlemen. But have you laid in store the goods *ny brothers were selling?" "What did they sell?" asked the people eagerly . "Tho first sold wisdom, the second sold virtue, and the third sold health." "We haven't bought any," they cried. "Well, I am very sorry, but without wisdom, virtue and health, long life will be of no use to you." And he shut up his box refusing to sell his wares to people

who had not the sense to buy what his three brothers were selling. When he had packed his goods, Fourth Star found that he had left out a little piece of long life. It was a scrap that gave 300 years of life. Close by stood a parrot on her perch. "Have you had your breakfast, Poll ?" asked the star. "No," answered Polly. The star laughed and he gave her the piece of long life. And that is why parrots live so long.