Unexpected fortune and fame resulting from death and unjustified fear.
“You don’t want to do that,” said Bubby. I didn’t know what to think. Parrots talk but not in context and with authority.
“Bubby, what did you say?”
“Joe, I don’t want you to turn the air conditioning so low. My feathers are going to freeze.”
To say I was stunned is an understatement of grand proportions. Yes, my red-crowned amazon had previously copied words and small phrases I said but never a conversation.
“Have you been wanting to tell me about the temperature for a while now?” I asked to see if I was insane or the bird actually was composing thought-out sentences.
“Yes, Joe…squawkkkk…you always keep it so damn cold in here.”
I had to sit down. Bubby was preening herself. Had I just slipped into a new dimension?
My thoughts began swimming in a jumbled mix of next steps. I called
Channel 17 News. Bubby buried her beak in feathers and took a nap.
The excitement I delivered to the Channel 17 News “Hot Line” was convincing enough for them to send a reporter and camera crew. Fame was just around the corner.
I could feel it.
Bobby Ann Rodgers, the local star headline-grabber, arrived at my house a half hour later. I explained how Bubby suddenly had become more intelligent and began having a conversation with me. They were videoing my entire story.
“I can’t wait to show you. Oh look Bubby is waking up.”
“What’s a parrot got to do to get some fresh food?” Bubby asked.
Bobby Ann Rodger’s mouth dropped and the camera man’s face lit up with surprise. The news team expected my claims to be a sham but they were shocked my claim was legit.
“Come on I’m starvin’ here. I need water too. And, Joe, when are you going to clean out my shit from the bottom of…
