If I should find it necessary to choose, then one of my very favorite chores upon this boat would
doubtlessly be caring for the captain’s parrot. He is a very noble and affable creature. I perceive great
affection and appreciation in his countenance as I feed him his daily oats. And he exhibits singular
patience while I brush his coat and re-shoe his feet. However, unlike most birds of his genus, I will admit
that his vocabulary is somewhat limited and trends rather toward the non-affirming. For example, if one
were to inquire whether Polly would like a cracker, he will nearly always refuse with a simple yet polite response of “Nay.” But this particular quirk of reticence is not at all a bother, and in fact, endears him to me all the
more.
