Parrot's Gift
"Visitors can go horseback riding."
"And there are staff members who'll take pictures of you."
"Look."
"That woman is holding a camera."
"Is horseback riding available here?"
"Where?"
"I'm going as soon as I can."
"Why did everyone get sidetracked?"
"That guy got a parrot to land on his arm!"
"How amazing is that?!"
"That's incredible!"
"...How did he do that?"
"No idea."
"Maybe the parrots here are just friendlier?"
"Then why didn't one land on my arm?"
"Maybe he lured it over with food?"
"Look."
"He's feeding the parrot."
"I bought parrot feed too."
"Me too."
"Let me try."
"I'll try too."
Many people placed the parrot feed in their hands and held them out.
The parrot on Xiao Xiao's arm flapped its wings and took off.
It turned and flew back into the building.
Xiao Xiao didn't leave.
The girl lowered her camera.
An excited expression appeared on her face.
She'd gotten some great pictures.
Even she thought what had just happened seemed straight out of a fantasy novel.
This guy could communicate with all things...
"Ah—"
A disappointed cry rang out among the visitors.
It cut off abruptly.
A moment ago, a parrot really had been drawn over by the feed.
But it hadn't landed on her arm.
Instead, it had quickly swooped past her.
She'd felt a slight sting in her palm.
Then she realized it was the parrot's beak.
The parrot had eaten the feed from her palm.
That made her happy.
But...
The parrot hadn't stayed with her.
It had paid no attention to her outstretched arm.
That left her feeling a little disappointed.
Why hadn't it treated her the way it had treated that guy?
She didn't understand.
She also felt a