For my 40thbirthday I received a parrot. The parrot was fully grown with a bad attitude and worse vocabulary. Every other word was an obscenity. Those that weren’t expletives, were to say the least, rude. I tried hard to change the bird’s attitude and was constantly saying polite words, playing soft music, anything I could think of. Nothing worked. I yelled at the bird and the bird yelled back. I shocked the bird and the bird just got more angry and more rude. Finally, in a moment of desperation, I put the bird in the freezer, just for a few moments. I heard the bird squawk and kick and scream-then suddenly, there was quiet. I was frightened that I might have hurt the bird and quickly opened the freezer door. The parrot calmly stepped out and said “I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I’ll endeavour at once to correct my behaviour. I really am truly sorry and beg your forgiveness.” I was astonished at the bird’s change in attitude and was about to ask what had made such a dramatic change when the parrot continued, “May I ask what did the chicken do?”
