Once upon a time, there lived a parrot who belonged to a barber. He had learnt to talk like human beings. Many people came to the barber’s shop and chatted about things. The parrot also heard all this. He loved to pick up rhyming words beautifully.
The barber had become well known in the kingdom. One day, a messenger told him he was wanted to cut the king’s hair. The king was known to be an extremely serious man. He did not like anyone at all joking or smiling.
The barber was taken to a chamber where the king came in a while.
“So you are the best barber in our kingdom?” asked the king.
Humbly, the barber replied, “I don’t know, Sir. But I try to give the best service possible.”
The barber cut the king’s hair and the king was happy with it. The barber was called regularly after that to the palace. The king came to know of the beautiful talking parrot as well.
One day, the king ordered, “I’ve heard you have a talking parrot. Bring him next time you come.”
The barber had to obey, but he was terrified. “What if the parrot says something awful in front of the king?” he thought, “I’ll lose not only my job but also my head!”
He took the parrot in a cage to the palace. The king said, “Make him talk.”
“Say hello, Polly,” said the barber.
“To whom?” asked the parrot.
“This is the king, Polly. Say hello.”
“Hello, king, ping, ting-a-ling-ling!” chanted Polly.
The king sat up and glared at the barber, who was shivering with fright. The soldiers on guard were trying to suppress their smiles.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty! I’m really sorry! I have not taught him any of this. He picks up things on his own,” explained the miserable barber.
“Quiet!” said the king, “Let him talk!”
Polly had set off and there was no way of stopping her at all.
“Talk-Talk-Walk! Jolly-jolly-Polly! Hello-fellow-yellow! Ting-a-ling- king!” chanted Polly, quite out of control.
The king said, “I will buy him! I will give him lessons!”
“Oh, Sir! You may have him! Are you going to punish him?” asked the barber who loved Polly.
“Punish him!” said the king as he came near the parrot and burst out laughing, “No, indeed! No one has ever made me laugh or dared to laugh at me!”
The barber was relieved! He wasn’t going to be thrown into prison! He was given so much gold that he never had to cut anyone’s hair after that!
