'MACAW'CRY(DAY 4, POST 2)

Juna darted her eyes around, following the strokes and the flow of the pencil across the book.

She was blue-gold macaw who flew about the house freely, though at night, she was safely put back in her cage which hung in the living room.

Juna loved her snug spot with some sunflower seeds and a bowl of fresh water every day. She had picked up the language of her household, the Greenwoods. Her favourite phrase was, “ Good Morning, how may I help you?” after listening in on phone conversations.

Much to everyone’s vexation, Juna started imitating dialogues from the movies and television and there wasn't a moment’s respite with her constant chattering.

At the moment, she was perched, claws digging softly into Peggy's shoulder. Looking over her homework, Juna started mimicking Mrs. Greenwood's nagging tone asking her to speed up and to come down to dinner.

Frustrated with a complex math problem and with Juna’s non stop monologue, Peggy blurted out, “If you don't get out right now, I will lock you in the basement forever”. Juna only blinked her eyes as if memorizing each modulation and tone. Peggy regretted instantly but the damage was done.

Juna flew around the room commanding to no one in particular, “Get out…right now!” in a tone so fierce that left Peggy stunned.

****

A few days into the incident, Peggy had study holidays before a major exam and was quite engrossed in her studies, with her parents at work and the house help out on running errands. A few minutes passed and everything was deathly quiet. Juna was snoozing in her cage on the humid afternoon.

Peggy heaved a sigh of relief for the rare moment of peace and quiet. Suddenly, her ears perked up at an unusual sound. She could hear low whispers from outside the first floor window. When she parted the curtains slightly, she panicked on seeing two shady looking men with tools trying to break open the back door.

A chill running down her spine, Peggy raced down as noiselessly as she could to dash out of the front door, but she was too late. One of the men was already in the kitchen with a large rucksack.

Cold sweat ran down Peggy’s face as she quickly slipped into a dark corner under the stairs. She was trapped. They would find her soon and then…

And then, a fierce female voice rang out in an annoyed tone, “How can I help you? If you don't get out right now, I'll lock you in the basement for the rest of your life….Out! Out!” Juna had imitated Mrs. Greenwood and the click of a gun barrel.

The thieves upon realizing that their game was up, scurried out and ran for their lives. Juna, the mimic artist had saved the house from getting robbed and also Peggy from coming to any harm.

(478 words)

©️ Sangeetha Kamath

Pic Courtesy:Image by Brigitte Werner from Pixabay

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