A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity.
John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to clean up' the bird's vocabulary.
Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even more rude. John, in desperation, threw up his hands! Then he grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute.
Feeling guilty about his actions and fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior."
John was stunned at the immediate change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird spoke-up, very softly,
"May I ask what the turkey did?"
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The above story is a copy of an email that I received last week! I thought it was SO funny and just had to share it with you all!! All it took was one look at that frozen turkey to completely change that parrot’s attitude in a hurry!
Have you ever called anyone a turkey? Or, for that matter, has anyone ever called YOU a turkey? I’ve been called a turkey before - by my mom! Can you believe it! My MOM!
I can’t say that I’m exactly sure of the connotation of being called by that name, but I would imagine that it is similar to calling someone “silly” or a “goofball”. But my husband, wise man that he is, said that he thought that it was possibly just a nice way of telling someone that you think they have an ugly neck! Either way, I don’t think I want to be called a turkey.
Now, back to that story. At first, I have to admit that, I felt a bit sorry for that poor, ol' frozen turkey. But you know, the more I thought about it, the more I am of the opinion that I would rather be the turkey than the parrot!
Here is my reasoning:
I can’t say that I’m exactly sure of the connotation of being called by that name, but I would imagine that it is similar to calling someone “silly” or a “goofball”. But my husband, wise man that he is, said that he thought that it was possibly just a nice way of telling someone that you think they have an ugly neck! Either way, I don’t think I want to be called a turkey.
The parrot was rude, obnoxious, profane and abusive! And John did NOT enjoy being around it. In fact, rather than bringing him comfort and pleasure, the parrot was frustrating, was causing him embarrassment and stress, and it brought the worst out in John! Even if it had not been so rude, all it would EVER do is just repeat whatever it heard others saying! Talk about the ultimate gossip!
But, you might be thinking, 'Well, at least the parrot was alive! That poor turkey was as dead as a door knob and frozen as hard as a rock!'
And, you are right!
But, think about it! Even if that turkey had spent it’s entire life just walking around pecking at grains and insects and then finally dying of old age, what use would it have been to anyone? What purpose would it have served? NONE! Whereas, by giving it’s life and being prepared for someone’s Thanksgiving dinner, it would be a blessing and benefit to many!
Yes, it’s true, it would have to die, but at least, it would be giving it’s life for a good cause! AND, I venture to say that John received much more pleasure from that turkey than he ever did from the parrot!!
Just think about it!! I could be wrong but, I believe there must be some deep, theological lesson in this story - some spiritual insight from which we should glean!!
Yep! I’m sure of it! After much thought and meditation on the subject, I’m sure that I’d MUCH rather be the turkey than the parrot!
And, you are right!
Yes, it’s true, it would have to die, but at least, it would be giving it’s life for a good cause! AND, I venture to say that John received much more pleasure from that turkey than he ever did from the parrot!!
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Mike and I would like to thank all of you who support and pray for us! Only our Heavenly Father knows how much we love and appreciate you all! Our prayer is that God will richly bless you, that you will have a wonderful Thanksgiving and...
May You Be A Turkey!
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