“What a funny bird she is!” cried Minnie; “she runs on so from one thing to another.”
“In that respect she shows a want of judgment,” replied her father; “but, by the way, I have a story for you of a curious parrot, which I will read.
“A gentleman who had been visiting a friend near the sea shore, and concluded to return by way of a ferry boat, walked to the beach to see whether there was one ready to start. As he stood looking over the water, much disappointed that there was none in sight, he was surprised to hear the loud cry of the boatman,—
“‘Over, master? Going over?’
“‘Yes, I wish to go,’ he answered, looking eagerly about.
“‘Over, master? Going over?’ was asked again in a more earnest tone; and again he repeated,—
“‘Yes, I wish to go as soon as possible.’
“The questions were repeated constantly, and yet no preparation was made for granting his request. He began to be somewhat indignant, and seeing no one near upon whom he could vent his wrath, he walked rapidly toward a public house near by. Here his anger was speedily changed to mirth, for on going near the door he saw a parrot hanging in a cage over the porch, from whom all the noise had proceeded.”
“Oh, father,” exclaimed Minnie, greatly delighted, “that was a real good story. Isn’t there another one?”
“Yes; here is one where a man made his bird revenge his insults.