The Parrot Who Said Too Much

Mitthu the parrot lived in the Sharma family's verandah, and he could repeat anything. He could do the pressure cooker. He could do the doorbell so well that Mrs Sharma opened the door to nobody at least twice a day.

On Saturday the children, Kabir and Nisha, were whispering in the verandah.

"Papa's birthday is tomorrow," said Nisha. "The cake is hidden in the neighbour's fridge. Do not tell anyone."

"Surprise party at six," whispered Kabir. "Shhh."

Mitthu tilted his head. Such interesting new words.

That evening Papa came home and sat down with his tea.

"Cake is hidden!" said Mitthu.

Papa looked up. "What?"

"Neighbour's fridge! Party at six! Shhh!" said Mitthu, very pleased with himself. Then he did the doorbell.

Kabir and Nisha stood frozen in the doorway. Nisha's lip trembled. All their planning was gone, in one squawk.

Papa looked at their faces. He looked at Mitthu. Then he put down his cup and said loudly, "What a noisy bird. I did not understand a single word. Did you?"

"No, Papa!" said the children together.

The next evening at six Papa walked into the dark drawing room. The lights came on. "SURPRISE!" shouted everyone. And Papa jumped, clutched his chest and looked more astonished than anyone has ever looked.

"I had no idea," he said. He winked at the children, just once.

From his cage Mitthu shouted, "No idea! No idea!"

Since that day, the children do their whispering in the kitchen. And Mitthu is still waiting to hear another secret.