How to win friends

A man once brought a beautiful parrot in the market and allowed it to go anywhere it wanted in the house. It loved to sit on the back of armchair by the fire and talk loudly, whether anyone was there or not.

The man's cat became very jealous of its master's new pet. "It 's not fair that you're allowed to sit there making such a racket. I was born in this house, but whenever I go miaow I'm thrown out of the room."

The parrot put its head on one side. "if I were you, I'd go and live outside. I give them pleasure with my fine voice, but you just annoy them."