|
I was looking out the window and I saw a sparrow land on a
sill across the street. It looked as though the little bird was trying to look
inside my neighbor's apartment, which prompted the following daydream:
A woman goes to her window after a bad night's sleep and sees a sparrow very deliberately pecking at her window pane, tap, tap, tap and then looking up at her as though wanting in. The woman looks at her husband and says, "I think the sparrow wants in." It comes out sounding more like a question than a statement. "Well, let him in, then," the husband answers, without looking over. He's reading a newspaper and doesn't want to be bothered. The woman lets the sparrow in and the little bird says, "What took you so long?" in a New York accent. "Uh, Larry, he talks," says the woman, a little fear creeping into the tone of her voice. Larry doesn't respond; he's in another part of the apartment now, out of earshot. She considers going to find him, but she can handle this situation, she doesn't need help. What's the bird gonna do? Peck her eyes out? Meanwhile, the bird, who is getting impatient, clears his throat, "Ahem." "How'd you get that New York accent?" she asks. "Haven't you got anything more important to ask me?" chides the sparrow. "I mean, you're talking to a bird, right? This is not an everyday event, so don't you think you should be looking for the deeper meaning here, lady? And not just this superficial, linguistic stuff?" The lady blushes. "Well..." she says, "why are you here, then?" The bird cocks his head and gives her a steady look. "Get a pen and paper so you can take notes and then I'll tell you. But first, you got anything to eat? I'd love a crushed up peanut right now." |