Seeing Pink
"He’s a great friend of mine, and I think the world of him — but what does he know about sick parrots?”
Eli’s animal center was bustling on a Sunday afternoon. Manny the monkey was a big hit as usual. (Eli gave him a stern warning not to throw banana peels at any visitors.) Gimpel the goat was another popular draw, but too bad for anyone who ignored the signs warning visitors not to lean against his cage. Quick as a wink, Gimpel would take a bite of the person’s skirt or trousers.
Eli was, however, somewhat surprised that nobody was crowding around Tuki’s cage. Usually there were many guests watching the lively parrot. As Eli drew near, he was dismayed to see the parrot looking droopy and out of sorts. Oh, dear!
“Sick as a parrot, are we?” he asked. “What’s up, old fellow?”
Tuki just looked at him dully.
“I’d better get him checked out,” muttered Eli. “I’ll call Mr. Faigelbaum. He’s sure to know what to do.”
Mr. Faigelbaum arrived just as the animal center was closing for the day. Eli quickly led the bird expert to Tuki.
Mr. Faigelbaum checked him and asked Eli lots of questions.
“What’s he got?” asked Eli at last. “I hope it isn’t anything serious.”
“It’s very odd,” replied Mr. Faigelbaum. “Tuki doesn’t seem to have any of the usual bird illnesses. Have you changed his diet recently?”
“No, it’s exactly the same as always,” replied Eli.
Mr. Faigelbaum scratched his head.
“Baffling. Either this is a new, unknown type of bird illness — or there’s something else going on!”
“What do you suggest? I can’t bear to see Tuki looking so sad.”
“Hmm. I don’t like to prescribe medication without knowing more about what’s going on. Let me think…”
He clicked his fingers.
“Why don’t you call Jolly Solly?”
Eli looked at him in surprise.
“Call the clown? He’s a great friend of mine, and I think the world of him — but what does he know about sick parrots?”
Mr. Faigelbaum shrugged.
“He’s no bird doctor, but he’s a smart fellow. He might be able to figure out what’s wrong.”
Eli wasn’t sure, but there didn’t seem to be any other option. He called up the clown to ask for help.
Jolly Solly was concerned. He was fond of the parrot, who often stayed in his house when Eli was traveling.
“Of course I’d love to help. But shouldn’t a bird expert like Mr. Faigelbaum check him first?”
Eli explained that Mr. Faigelbaum had already been there.
“Well then, of course I’ll come over and see what I can do.”
Mr. Faigelbaum decided to wait for the clown. He was curious to see what would happen.
Soon, Jolly Solly’s cheerful open-top car pulled up.
“Hello, Tuki, what’s this all about?” he greeted the parrot.
Tuki flapped a feeble wing in reply.
“How long has he been like this?” asked Jolly Solly in concern.
“I just noticed him this afternoon. It’s been extra busy here. Izzy, my assistant, has the flu. He’s just finished antibiotics now, so he’ll be back soon.”
“Izzy was on antibiotics, was he?” asked Jolly Solly. “That’s your assistant who lives here?”
“Yes,” replied Eli.
“Please take me to his house,” said Jolly Solly.
“Okay.” Eli shrugged.
Mr. Faigelbaum followed. Jolly Solly stopped at a partially open trash can outside Izzy’s house. He pointed to a bottle inside marked “penicillin.” It was empty except for a bit of pink liquid.
“I believe this is your culprit,” he said. “I’m guessing Tuki saw this bottle when he was flying around. He liked the color, took a few sips — and it made him feel ill.”
Mr. Faigelbaum gasped. “There were some pink drops around Tuki’s cage! Now I know what they were!”
He dashed off. “I know exactly what to do now to help Tuki,” he called over his shoulder. “I told you it was worth calling Jolly Solly! Fellow’s a genius….”
Eli knew he had to have a word with Izzy about safe disposal of medicines. But first he turned to thank the clown.
“How did you figure it out?” he asked.
Jolly Solly winked.
“A little bird told me!” he replied.
(Originally featured in Mishpacha Jr., Issue 834)
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