Page 5 - My FlipBook

Navjyot hung the parrot cage from a wooden rafter in the ceiling. He also put up a sign on the door,
“CATS and complaining GIRLS NOT ALLOWED.”
Nimi rushed to Grandpa. He pointed out, “You’re allowed if you stop complaining.”

Navjyot was fond of cycling and since he’d come to live with Grandpa, he often cycled to different
places. Now he placed the bird cage in the basket and took the parrot along with him. He often rode to
the backwaters of the river, where it was always cool and green. There were birds too.
One afternoon, Navjyot took the parrot out of the cage and said, “Fly away if you want to.”

The parrot hopped right back into the cage.
“Don’t you want to leave?”

The parrot shook his head. Navjyot was delighted, “Can you understand me?” he asked again and
again. The parrot closed his eyes and slept.
“Stupid of me,” Navjyot murmured. The parrot opened his eyes and nodded.

Navjyot burst out laughing. He hadn’t laughed like this since he’d come to live with Grandpa. He told
the parrot, “I am going to talk to you. You’re a good listener. I can’t even speak to Nimi. She’s either
making me play with her dolls or running to Grandpa with complaints.

“My parents are in South Africa. That’s very far away. You will love it there. Or maybe not. African
parrots are bigger. They may bully you.”
The parrot cocked his head. He looked attentive. Navjyot laughed. “Looks like you’re listening.
Grandpa asked my parents to send me here. Nimi’s parents are also abroad. They’re in America and
Nimi’s been with Grandpa for eight months. Grandpa thought we would be good company to each
other. She’s eight and I’m ten. But I think he got tired of her complaints.”

The parrot softly squawked in sympathy.
Navjyot was delighted. “You know Bond? Bond makes the best parathas.”

(paratha: flatbread made out of wheat dough )
The parrot squawked loudly.

“You agree! Now, let me tell you about the dog. You’ve seen the dog outside the kitchen. Bond had
been trying to name him for years. But that dog doesn’t respond to any name. So he’s only called
Dog. He eats and sleeps. Funny isn’t it?”

The parrot nodded.
“I would like to teach you to speak. I don’t know what type of parrot you are. I’ve read some parrots
can learn to speak very well. We’ll try a few words but I don’t want to force you.”

The parrot fluffed his feathers and flapped his wings. When he settled down, Navjyot said, “I did not
want to name you because I wanted to let you go. But it looks like you are staying for a while. What
should I name you? You’re so colorful. Bright green feathers with a streak of blue in them, orange-
gold on your chest and a magnificent red beak. You’re a beautiful bird. I should name you…”

“Rangeela.”

“Rangeela is a good name! Rangeela means colourful. You are Rangeela!”
Navjyot suddenly realized that the parrot had spoken.

“You spoke?”