Story The parrot and the cactus: original story by Cristina R. Lomba.
An ancient legend has it that many years ago parrots and cockatoos, despite being close relatives and living in the same forest, got along very badly. Nobody remembered the reason for the conflict, but the fact is that they couldn’t even see each other and very unpleasant arguments and fights often arose between them.
The matter was so serious that on one occasion the leader of the large family of parrots and the leader of the large family of cockatoos made a decision: to divide the territory in two. By common agreement, the northern part of the forest was left to the parrots and the southern part to the cockatoos. This allowed both sides to continue with their lives ignoring each other, and logically the quarrels disappeared.
At that time, a young green parrot with a yellow nape decided to embark on a two-month trip to see something of the world. Eager to live adventures, he planned to cross the forest until he saw the beach, and once there, decide which direction to take. Several ideas were bubbling in his head, but the one he most wanted was to sneak onto a ship and sail to an exotic and distant destination.
The problem was that to get to the coast he had to cross the southern part, and that could have serious consequences. He weighed advantages and disadvantages and the advantages won by a landslide, so in the end, he chose to take the risk.
He left his home one warm summer morning, just after dawn, and flew through his beloved northern forest. She realized she had reached the border because she ran into a kilometer-long wooden fence. Several posters were propped up on it with large red letters that sent out a threatening message:
“ATTENTION PARROTS: PROHIBITED TO PASS INTO THE SOUTH AREA. RISK OF PRISON”
From his nerves his little legs began to shake as if they were made of jelly. She took a deep breath and tried to relax by rolling her neck in circles and drinking a little from the canteen. When he felt calmer he wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, checked that his compass was working, and said to himself:
– I’m afraid this is where the most complicated part of the trip begins. Since it is already noon, I will take advantage of the fact that all the animals are eating in their homes to overcome this challenge as quickly as possible and without making noise.
The parrot was in shape and jumped over the fence with ease, but once inside foreign territory he thought that flying the route would make him an easy target to spot. The safest thing to do was to go on foot and use the plants to camouflage yourself as you went.
This part of the forest seemed more lush and much quieter than the northern half, always full of parrots who came to chatter all day long. Cautiously, he walked for a long time without seeing anyone and without perceiving anything other than the sound of his footsteps on the crunchy leaves.
Suddenly, he came to a stream.
– ‘Excellent! With how hot it is, it would be nice for me to get a little wet before continuing.’
He put one paw into the water, which by the way was freezing, and when he was about to put the other one in he noticed that a chill ran down his spine. His intuition told him that someone, hidden somewhere nearby, was watching him intently.
– ‘Oh, no, this is the end!… Because a cockatoo caught me, I’m lost.’
What could I do?! Unfortunately, only one thing: face the situation in the most courageous and dignified way possible. He turned very slowly with his wings raised, and asked:
– Is… is there anyone there?
He saw a bush shake like a rattle and, after a few moments full of tension, he watched in amazement as a very white bird emerged from among its branches, sporting a charming yellow plume on its head. Our friend felt that he had not seen anything more beautiful in his life.
– ‘Oh, what a beautiful girl!… Am I dreaming?’
He stood so still and so stunned that she was the one who had to come closer. When they were facing each other, the two young men looked at each other enthralled.
– You must be a green parrot with a yellow neck, one of those that lives on the other side of the fence, right?
The parrot made a silly face and stated:
– And you are a galerita cockatoo!… Do you know that you are beautiful?
She blushed too.
– Thank you, you are very kind, but do you want to explain to me why you are in our forest? You already know that the law prohibits us from setting foot on your lands and you on ours.
The poor guy shook his head to come back to reality and got nervous again.
– I know, I know… My goal is to reach the beach before nightfall. It’s risky, but if I want to travel by boat I have to go through here because our part of the forest has no coast.
– Well, you were lucky to meet me and not a guard! In the afternoons they usually patrol this area, so if you don’t hurry it will be a matter of minutes before they catch you.
– I see… What do you advise me to do?
– I’m afraid your only alternative is to dress up as a cockatoo and pretend to be one of us.
– Are you kidding?… Don’t make fun of me, please.
The cockatoo lowered his voice.
– I’m serious! You follow me, but be quiet so they don’t discover us.
The cockatoo tiptoed in a straight line and the parrot confidently followed her. Upon reaching a place in the forest that looked like any other, the beautiful guide smiled and said:
– Here it is!
– Here it is… what?… I don’t see anything!
The cockatoo looked up and pointed to a gigantic tree in whose trunk there was a hole half covered with leaves.
– Let’s go up there. You’ll understand it right away.
They spread their wings and flew into the hole. The parrot was amazed at what he saw.
– It looks like a flour warehouse!
The cockatoo made a small correction.
– No, it doesn’t look like it: it’s a flour warehouse, one of the many in this part of the forest. The flour is stored up here so that the rodents, who are gluttons, do not eat it. Come on, let’s not waste time: roll yourself in it as if you were a croquette!
The parrot instantly understood what she meant. She gained momentum, jumped into the pool of flour, and smeared herself until her green plumage turned into completely white plumage. The cockatoo was very amused to see him looking like that.
– Wow, how handsome you are!
The parrot laughed too.
– Ha ha ha! This is crazy, but if you think it can work…
– Of course I believe it! We just need to make a plume like mine and it occurs to me… I already have it, let’s go!
They stealthily approached a lagoon covered with strange aquatic plants completely unknown to the parrot.
– Do you see those floating flowers? They are called water lilies and their leaves are as yellow and as long as the feathers on my head. With a few I will make a headdress for you. You’re going to be cute, you’ll see!
No sooner said than done. The determined cockatoo went into the lagoon and grabbed seven or eight water lily leaves. In no time at all, he made the most chic feather duster and placed it on the parrot’s head.
Once the outfit was complete, the young man approached the edge of the water to see his reflection.
– But I do look like a real cockatoo! Thank you very much for making it possible.
– It has been a pleasure helping you. Now you can continue on your way without anyone stopping you, but please, go now! Siesta time is coming to an end and any moment the southern forest is going to be filled with animals. If someone discovers the deception, you’ll be ruined!
– I… I… Will I see you again?
The yellow-naped green parrot had fallen madly in love with the sweet cockatoo, so he was about to faint when he heard her response.
– Of course! Look for me when you get back because I will be waiting for you.
Realizing that she felt the same, he dared to give her a loving kiss on her beak.
– I promise you I will do it!
In the midst of a confusing mixture of joy and sadness, the parrot and the cockatoo said goodbye.
After the lunch and nap break, the forest was filled with life again. Just as her new friend had predicted, beings of all kinds began to emerge from the shadows, including dozens of cockatoos. A big commotion arose and the costumed parrot had to force himself to remain calm and show off his acting skills. Without erasing the smile from his mouth and imitating the gestures and graceful way of moving of the white birds, he walked through the forest without anyone realizing that he was an impostor.
His disguise was so good and he did it so well that many cockatoos greeted him thinking he was one of them. He had no choice but to respond with a “Hello” or “Good afternoon” so as not to raise suspicions.
And so, controlling his fears, he managed to dominate the situation and reach the wall that ended the southern forest. When she saw him, his heart started beating at full speed.
– The wall!… I have reached the wall!… One last effort and I will be out of danger!
He was so tired to fly that he preferred to climb it as if he were a climber. A minute later he reached the top and stuck his head out. Although the light was already scarce, he could see an immense beach and in the background the sea, infinite and blue.
– Bravo, bravo, I’ve done it! The plan has worked!
He went down the opposite side like a slide, and stumbled across the golden sand until he jumped into the water. As soon as she submerged, the flour that covered her body dissolved and the lily leaves of her headdress were blown away by the breeze. It was an incredible feeling to see her feathers return to the magnificent green color that he was so proud of.
Once clean and dry, he looked for a sheltered place to spend the night. It had been a day full of emotions and he needed to rest to begin the new stage of his trip in good spirits! Lulled by the sound of the waves, he reflected on how lucky he was to be able to fulfill his dream of traveling, but his last thought, the most emotional and deep one before falling asleep, was for the cute and loving cockatoo that had captured his heart. he.