The Parrot and the Merchant

Long ago in a city of golden domes there lived a kind merchant. In his sunny window stood a tall gold cage. Inside the cage lived a bright green parrot. The parrot could talk! Every morning it sang good morning to the whole house.

One day the merchant was getting ready for a very long trip. He was going all the way to a faraway country called Hindustan. He went room by room and asked everyone, "What can I bring back for you?" One girl wanted a pretty silk ribbon. A boy wanted sweet spices. The cook wanted little wooden beads that smelled like flowers.

Last of all, the merchant came to the parrot's cage. He bent down close. "And you, little friend?" he said. "What would you like me to bring back, all the way from Hindustan?"

The parrot tipped its small head and thought.

"Please don't bring me anything wrapped in paper," said the parrot. "I want something different."

The merchant smiled. "What is it?"

"In Hindustan there are great trees," said the parrot. "And in those trees live wild green parrots, just like me. If you see them, please give them a message from me. Tell them: there is a parrot who lives in a city far away, in a gold cage by a window. Tell them I think of them. Tell them I would like to fly with them one day. Will you remember?"

The merchant nodded. "I will remember every word."

He gave his promise. He patted the bars. The parrot fluffed its feathers and looked very pleased. The merchant did not know it yet, but the message he had just promised to carry was the most important thing in his whole big bag of trade.