The Bird That Talked

P.O Box 1540, Albany Western Australia 6331
Phone: (08) 98 418 418
E-mail: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

The Bird That Talked
Friends, there is an old story about a man who lived alone and went to a pet shop to buy a parrot. He thought the bird might fill some of his lonely hours. The very next day, he came back to complain, "That bird doesn't talk." The shop owner asked if the bird had a mirror in its cage, and the man said he didn't. "Oh, parrots love mirrors," he explained. "When he sees his reflection in the mirror, he'll just start talking away." So he sold the man a birdcage mirror. However, the bird owner was back the next day grumbling that his parrot still hadn't said a word. "That's very peculiar," responded the pet expert. "How about buying it a swing? Birds really love these little swings, and a happy parrot is a talkative parrot." So the man bought a swing, took it home and installed it in the cage. But he was back the next day with the same story. "Does he have a ladder to climb?" the salesman asked. "That just has to be the problem. Once he has a ladder, he'll probably talk your ear off!" So the man bought a ladder. The next day, the man was back at the pet shop when it opened. And from the look on his face, the owner knew something was wrong. "Didn't your parrot like the ladder?" he asked. His repeat customer looked up and said, "The parrot died." "I'm so sorry," the stunned businessman said. "Did he ever say anything?" "Well, yes. He finally talked just before he died. In a weak little voice, he asked me, 'Don't they sell any birdseed at that pet shop?'" Friends, some of us have mistakenly thought that happiness consists of lining our cages with toys, gadgets, and other stuff. Indeed, excessive consumption has become the hallmark of Australian life. "Whoever has the most toys wins" seems to be the likely candidate to be the bumper sticker for an entire culture. But is it so? The truth is, that there is a spiritual hunger in the human heart that can't be satisfied just by seeing ones own image reflected back in vanity mirrors, playing with our grown-up toys, or climbing the corporate ladder. Our hearts need real nourishment. The love of family and friends, relationships over the pursuit of more things, personal integrity, a secure connection God - these are the things that feed the soul. Jesus shared this truth with us in His Sermon on the Mount, when He said: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). He knew that our souls could never be satisfied with anything less than eternity. So let me ask you a question. Have you chosen a life course that leads to a destination that matters? Friends, if you'd like to write to me with your comments or suggestions, I'd like to hear from you. I'm always pleased to hear from readers of my column and web site. My address is: P.O. Box 1540, Albany WA 6331. If you prefer, you can phone me on (08) 98 418 418. Email: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

Friends, there is an old story about a man who lived alone and went to a pet shop to buy a parrot. He thought the bird might fill some of his lonely hours. The very next day, he came back to complain, "That bird doesn't talk."

The shop owner asked if the bird had a mirror in its cage, and the man said he didn't. "Oh, parrots love mirrors," he explained. "When he sees his reflection in the mirror, he'll just start talking away." So he sold the man a birdcage mirror.

However, the bird owner was back the next day grumbling that his parrot still hadn't said a word. "That's very peculiar," responded the pet expert. "How about buying it a swing? Birds really love these little swings, and a happy parrot is a talkative parrot." So the man bought a swing, took it home and installed it in the cage. But he was back the next day with the same story. "Does he have a ladder to climb?" the salesman asked. "That just has to be the problem. Once he has a ladder, he'll probably talk your ear off!" So the man bought a ladder.

The next day, the man was back at the pet shop when it opened. And from the look on his face, the owner knew something was wrong. "Didn't your parrot like the ladder?" he asked. His repeat customer looked up and said, "The parrot died."

"I'm so sorry," the stunned businessman said. "Did he ever say anything?"

"Well, yes. He finally talked just before he died. In a weak little voice, he asked me, 'Don't they sell any birdseed at that pet shop?'"

Friends, some of us have mistakenly thought that happiness consists of lining our cages with toys, gadgets, and other stuff. Indeed, excessive consumption has become the hallmark of Australian life. "Whoever has the most toys wins" seems to be the likely candidate to be the bumper sticker for an entire culture. But is it so?

The truth is, that there is a spiritual hunger in the human heart that can't be satisfied just by seeing ones own image reflected back in vanity mirrors, playing with our grown-up toys, or climbing the corporate ladder. Our hearts need real nourishment. The love of family and friends, relationships over the pursuit of more things, personal integrity, a secure connection God - these are the things that feed the soul.

Jesus shared this truth with us in His Sermon on the Mount, when He said: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). He knew that our souls could never be satisfied with anything less than eternity. So let me ask you a question. Have you chosen a life course that leads to a destination that matters?

Friends, if you'd like to write to me with your comments or suggestions, I'd like to hear from you. I'm always pleased to hear from readers of my column and web site. My address is: P.O. Box 1540, Albany WA 6331. If you prefer, you can phone me on (08) 98 418 418. Email: abl-alb@omninet.net.au