Today’s randomly selected story is a passage that never found a parent. It was for a prompt about animals.
Thirteen Uses for a Green Parrot
The snaggle-toothed man leaped between the young skipper and his boat, ignoring the tumult of the docks around him. “You there! You look like you could use a spot of luck for your journey!”
“And what luck are you selling, old man?”
“Why, you little– I mean, the best kind! A companion for your journeys, a chipper word when you need it! I offer you an irreplaceable green parrot!”
He thrust out an arm. A bird not much larger than his outstretched hand was perched on his forearm. “Adventure?” it said, eyeing the skipper with a cheerful sort of jaundice.
“There you have it!” said the snaggle-toothed man. “Already ready to be on his way, he is! Two and four, two and four for your good luck charm.”
“Does he say more than ‘adventure’?” said the skipper, as acceptance continued its rosy dawn over his features.
“Yes,” said the parrot. “Adventure?”
“Mixed, but promising,” said the skipper. “Fine. Have your coin and give it here.”
The parrot, needing no further prompting, flapped up to perch on the skipper’s shoulder. To the snaggle-toothed man’s great relief, it did not yet defecate. The man took his coins, bowed, and disappeared back into the crowd.
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