Talk...just talk

                                               Talk….just talk

Excuse me. Can you please tell me the way to the pet shop?

 A hundred yards down the road to your left. 

You're a handsome bird.

I know, but thank you. 

Can you talk?

Yes, I can talk, but be quiet. The shop staff don’t know.  

Please, how much do you want for the parrot here next to the front window?

Wait a minute. Bob, what are we asking for the male African Grey parrot in the entrance.  

 As It doesn’t talk, 125 euros

I ‘ll buy it. 

Do you want a cage? At present they are on sale. 

Wait a minute I will go and ask the bird. 

It's dumb, so it won't be much help. 

Do you need a cage?

Silence, but the parrot nodded its head. 

Yes, I will take a big cage. Maybe you could call me a taxi?

Where to?

The corner of Holland Park Road and Ladbrook Road. 

Thank god I am out of that fire trap. I have been there for a month with those jerks. I played dumb until I saw your face. You reminded me of my lost friend and master, the professor.

Are you talking to yourself?

No driver it's the parrot.

How did he learn to talk like that?

I learnt because I lived with an English literature professor that adored talking with me. He called me Mr. Echo.

How long did you live with the professor? 

Fifteen years. He got divorce and felt lonely. He went to Africa and found me. He had me shipped with other animals to a friend that had a small zoo. He collected me there. As they say the rest is history. I miss him. Maybe I have found a good replacement. The signs are good as since his death I have never spoken.

What happened to the professor?

He died of old age. All his processions were sold. He had thousands of books. In the evenings he would often read to me.

We are there, what number? 

12 please.

That’s a big cage, goodbye Mr. Echo, I hope things will turn out all right. You certainly talk up a storm.

Nice place you have. What shall I call you?

My name is Robin Huntington. Like your professor I live alone as my wife died three years ago. Where are we going to put the cage? 

I think we should put it in the big room. I'm glad you bought it. I need my own space. Also I sleep about twelve hours a day. With the professor I always slept in my cage. At night he covered the cage with a blanket. 

I am amazed how well he taught you English. You must have had many lessons. 

I did. He loved talking, he wasn’t prepared to sit there in silence. Also he wanted me to talk with well constructed sentences. I was well taught. Now, I have had an emotional day. I think I would like to go to my cage. Please, if I fall asleep, put a cover over the cage. 

Hello, Charles, I am just calling to say I have bought a rather extraordinary talking parrot. When are you coming to visit me? 

Good, in two weeks time. In the meantime I certainly won’t have any impression of feeling lonely. Love you…. Bye.

Good morning Mr. Echo. You certainly had a good sleep, it is nearly noon. 

It’s so beautifully quiet here. Thank you for putting the blanket over my cage. 

Lunch. Mr Echo what do you eat? 

The list is long but basically, fruits,  green vegetables. Seeds corn on the cob, carrots, bananas, apples, nuts. The professor used to take me to the market so I could choose. 

Wasn’t he afraid you would fly away?

Oh, no, I was devoted to him. We birds can get very attached to someone. In the spring and summer months he loved to take me to the country for a picnic and on occasions to his favorite restaurant.

Would you like me to take you shopping?

I think it's a bit early. First I would like to know you better and feel comfortable in my surroundings. 

Come into the kitchen I will make us a light lunch. While I prepare something, let me ask you a few questions. Where did the professor live? 

Not far from here. Cambridge Gardens, in an apartment not as large as yours.  

How did he find you in Africa?

It was in Dakar, Senegal in their main market. My mother had five children. We lived in the forest near Dakar. The hunters found us. Within days we were up for sale in the market. 

But you could not speak. 

True, but according to the professor when I screeched at him he claimed my vocal cords and sound were of the right pitch for me to acquire a speaking voice. Many African grey parrots are capable of talking. But to reach my level it requires intensive training and many hours learning words. The professor was a very intelligent and cultivated man. He told me I had about 4000 words at my disposal, which is very unusual. 

He was certainly a remarkable teacher. 

You forgot something. I was also a remarkable student. 

Touche 

A word I don’t know.

Is a french word, meaning I agree.

Do you miss your native lands? 

I'm not sure, it’s been many years since I left. I would like to see my mother and siblings again if they are still alive. My father was shot by hunters before I left. As for my siblings, if they have not been sold in the market within two weeks they are sent back to the forest. 

Maybe I will take you there one day. What do you like doing?

I enjoy talking, listening to stories and music, shopping, going in the car and on the bus,  having picnics in the country and the occasional restaurant if I am well known. But what I don’t like is being treated as some crazy abnormal bird that can speak like a human. Crowds of  people make me nervous. 

Mr. Echo, I welcome you to my home. Let us hope we enjoy a long friendship. I have a son, named Charles, who will be coming to visit in two weeks time. Since my wife’s death he worries that I might feel lonely. I think he is in for a surprise. Do you like what you are eating? 

Yes it's fine. 

This afternoon I have to go out. In my absence I will leave some music on. You can explore the apartment. Tonight I might read you a short story. 

Mr. Echo, we have been together for two weeks now. I have enjoyed your company. Have you any complaints? 

No, I enjoy living here. Just one little thing.  Could you arrange sometime for me to have a wash? 

Of course, I suggest you use the bath and tonight I will fill it with enough water so you can splash about in it. After that I will dry you with the hair dryer. The more immediate problem is the need to shop as Charles will be here tomorrow.  Don’t you think it is about time you came with me. It is open market day so we don't have to go into a store.

Yes, I think I would like that.

It's nice to be in a car and lookaround. Just one thing. In the market carry me on your shoulder and don’t talk to me. We will get plenty of stares and a few remarks but If I don’t talk a crowd of people won’t develop. At present I don’t feel like dealing with crowds. Just point to foods and I will nod my head. 

It was interesting to have you on my shoulder for an hour with people staring at me and be continually asked whether it can talk. 

Did you enjoy our trip to the market? We bought some interesting food. There were plenty of choices.

Yes, very much. It’s great to be outside and enjoy the fresh air. 

There you are all nice and clean. I will dry you.

Mr.Echo wake up it’s eleven and I want to introduce you to Charles. 

Charles let me introduce you to my friend and companion Mr. Echo.  

Charles it's nice to meet you. If you are a chip of the old block then you must be a nice and kind person. 

I can only hope I am. Mr. Echo you have certainly taken away any worries I had about my father being lonely.

I suggest we spend the morning in Holland Park. Mr. Echo when you fly off into the trees, promise me when I call you you will immediately come back to my shoulder. 

I promise. 

Dad, this was a great idea. It is a lovely park. I see Mr. Echo up in the tree there enjoying the sun shining through the branches. I think it's time to go home for lunch. I must say you have found a treasure. He is a remarkable bird. I am amazed at his use of words, understanding and diction. 

Well Mr Echo, did you enjoy our morning in the park?

Very much. I am looking forward to a nice lunch as the fresh air and flying through the trees has made me quite hungry. 

Next week is the fifth anniversary of the date I bought you at the pet shop. We have lived in blessed harmony and I have enjoyed every moment of your company. We spent the winters in the warmth of this apartment, reading and talking. The summers of picnics and country walks. So I have decided in celebration of this anniversary I am going to take you and Charles for a weeks’ holiday to Dakar. I suggest while we are there you go and try and find your family. 

Robin, it's been a pleasure living with you. You don’t know how touched I am about going to Dakar. It’s truly wonderful.

Dad, you have let Mr. Echo go off for two or three days to try and find his family. Are you frightened that he will never come back?

No, I believe we are now in some funny way deeply attached to each other. 

Mr. Echo your back, we have missed you. Tell us all about your trip. 

I found a part of my family. My mother died about a year ago of old age. My two brothers were sold in the market and have never been heard of since. I saw my two sisters. They are both happy with their young families. The beautiful forest adored by magnificent trees brought back many childhood memories. Robin and Charles I have no words to express my gratitude, but now I am ready to go home.

David Nutt                                              December 2024