The Parrot Who Wouldn’t Talk
I. New Words:
1. morosely
2. ornamental
3. taunt
4. veranda
5. admonitions
6. exotic
7. tantrum
8. blandishment
9. endearment
10. hostile
11. siesta
12. delicacies
13. squawk
14. perching
15. dreadful
16. deliberately
II. Answer the following questions:
Q.1 Give two examples from the story to show that the parrots are both intelligent
and great mimics.
Ans: The parrot is intelligent, it is clear from the way it takes an instant dislike to
Aunt Ruby. On the other hand, it likes to be fed green chillies and tomatoes from
the author’s hands. It is also great at mimicry as it throws off Aunt Ruby’s words,
‘You’re no beauty, you’re no beauty! Can’t talk, can’t sing, can’t dance!’ when he
comes to the house back, as a friendly visitor.
Q.2) How were parrots trained to talk?
Ans: Parrot picked up various expressions over a period of time, after many
repetitions by some member of the household who had taken on the task of
teaching the bird to talk.
Q.3) Which birds did the bird- catcher sell?
Ans: Bird catcher sell caged birds ranging from colourful budgerigars to chirpy
little munias and even common sparrows.
Q.4) What was passed off as exotic birds? Why do you think the bird-catchers did
this?
Ans: The common sparrows had been dabbed with paint, passed off as some exotic
birds. The bird-catchers did this to earn a better price.
Q.5) What did the parrot do to show its dislike for Aunt Ruby?
Ans: The parrot usually went back when Aunt Ruby would put her face close to the
cage and would ask the parrot to kiss her. But once, without warning, it lunged
forward and knocked off Aunt Ruby’s spectacles off her nose.
Q.6) How did the parrot behave with the author? What does this tell about the
author’s character?
Ans: The parrot was quite happy to receive green chillies, mangoes and tomatoes
from the author. Their friendliness speaks of the author’s innocence and feeling
for the caged animal.
Q.7) How was the bird given its freedom?
Ans: The bird found its freedom when after feeding, one day Ruskin left the cage
door open deliberately. The bird flew off to the mango orchard nearby.