Joey and Minnie were playing inside because it was raining outside. Mother had told them to play quietly indoors. She was making sandwiches and a cake. There would be slices of water melon and juice also to drink.
The children had pulled out some of their board games and also a jigsaw puzzle. Suddenly, a small parrot flew in at the window. It was looking quite ragged because its feathers were wet. “Take, Take,” said the parrot.
Joey and Minnie were startled, hearing a voice. They looked up and saw the parrot.
“Polly, take,” said the parrot. They were thrilled. A talking parrot!
“We mustn’t frighten it away, Minnie,” said Joey, “Stay quiet and still; ok?”
“Yes,” whispered Minnie. Then she heard Mummy calling her to come and collect the food. Very gently, she slipped out and came back with a tray loaded with all the things Mummy had given.
With gentle movements they began to eat. Then they scattered some crumbs on the floor.
“Polly, Polly, take,” said Minnie softly. The little parrot seemed to recognise its name. It tilted its head to one side and watched them. Then it repeated, “Polly, take.”
Polly hopped down from the window and came up to the crumbs. It pecked them. Joey and Minnie watched and kept adding crumbs each time they finished one lot. Soon Polly knew that the two children were not going to hurt it.
When the rain stopped, Polly flew out of the window. Joey and Minnie ran to the window to look out and saw it fly away into a tree. They told Mummy all about Polly.
The next day, Polly came back and the children again gave it crumbs. Soon it became a routine. One day, Polly did not fly away after the meal. She flew on to their cupboard and sat there. In a while, they saw it had tucked its head under a wing and had gone to sleep!
The children went to bed after Mummy had told them a story and switched off the light.
The next morning, Joey and Minnie were surprised to find Polly sitting on the foot of the bed and saying, “Wake, wake.”
They sat up rubbing their eyes and looked at Polly in wonder, “Hello, Polly,” they said.
“Hello, hello,” said Polly as the children got up and dressed. They were surprised as Polly flew along with them and sat on the breakfast table.
“You have been adopted by Polly, children,” smiled Mummy, “And now it has a home!”
“Polly home,” said Polly.
