Once upon a time in Persia there lived a rich merchant whose mansion was filled with exquisite treasures. He had smooth silk from China, intricate jewelry from India, and colored glass from the west.

Of all the beautiful things he owned, however, the merchant loved a parrot from India the most.

For this was not an ordinary parrot, but a parrot that entertained the lonely merchant with old legends and tall tales.

The merchant had built for his parrot a garden of tall sycamore trees, sweet-smelling jasmine bushes, and rippling fountains of cool blue water. He took care of his parrot's every wish-except for one.

"I am sorry," the merchant would say each time the parrot asked to be freed from his cage. "But you'll fly away from me sooner or later, as birds always do. And I can't bear to part with you."

One day the merchant told his parrot, "I'm traveling to India. Is there anything you want from your homeland? Tell me, and I will buy it."

"I do desire something, and you need not pay coins of gold for it," the parrot answered. "When you happen to pass by the jungle, give my greetings to my brothers. Tell them that I often think of the days when we flew free. And, please Master, bring me back their reply."

The merchant traveled to India and loaded his caravan with spices, jewels, and gold. On the last day of his stay, he visited the jungle, just as he had been asked. There he saw the beautiful parrots so much like his own bird.

"Dear parrots," he called out. "I bring you a message from your brother."

The parrots listened intently as the merchant delivered the message. "My parrot would like an answer," the merchant said when he was done. "Do you have one for him?"

None of the parrots spoke.