Paco the Parrot: A Tale of Two Voices
In a tall, shady tree on the edge of the jungle where wild things roamed and farm life began, two birds shared a branch—Olivia the Owl and Paco the Parrot.
Olivia was known throughout the forest as the wise one. She rarely spoke, but when she did, her words carried weight. Thoughtful. Measured. Worth listening to.
Paco, on the other hand, was never quiet. His feathers were as bright as his chatter. He mimicked the farmer, the dog, the bees, the rooster—any sound he could capture, he repeated with flair. Paco believed words were a kind of entertainment, and the more he used, the better.
“Why Don’t You Talk More?”
One morning, Paco fluttered over to Olivia’s branch, curious as always.
“Why are you so quiet, Olivia?” he asked, cocking his colorful head. “You’ve got a voice—why not use it? Everyone loves a bird who can entertain a crowd!"
Olivia nodded, chuckling. “There's a time to speak, Paco, and a time to listen. Not every word that comes to mind needs to be said.”
Paco fluffed his feathers, mischief gleaming in his round black eye. "Ha! That sounds dull. Words are free-why not use them!
Olivia smiled gently. “Yes, words are free—but they’re not without consequences. Words carry weight.”
Paco chuckled. “So serious! Talking is awesome, and it can be really fun!” And off he flew, leaving Olivia in her silence.
A Storm of Confusion
That day, Paco was more talkative than ever. He mimicked the farmer’s wife calling the hens, causing a frenzy as the chickens darted in every direction. Then he barked like the dog, spooking the sheep. He squawked out false feeding calls, stirring the pigs into chaos. The farm was in a complete uproar.
“Words are powerful, all right!” Paco laughed. “They can stir up a whole barnyard!”
But as evening approached, the mood shifted. From the edge of the jungle, a dark figure slithered forward—silent and deadly. A python crept toward the tree where Paco liked to perch.
Startled, Paco shouted, “Snake! Snake in the yard!” But no one paid attention. The animals had heard too many of his false alarms. The farmer barely glanced up.
When No One Listens
Paco flapped his wings in panic and flew to Olivia. “Olivia! There’s a real snake this time—but no one believes me!”
Olivia’s eyes were calm and steady. “That’s the danger, Paco. When you waste your words on foolishness, you lose their power when it matters most.”
Desperate, Paco took a deep breath. He looked toward the barnyard, and for the first time all day, he spoke with clarity and purpose.
“Snake in the yard!” he called again—firm, clear, and serious.
This time, the animals heard the change. The sheep stopped. The dog barked. The farmer ran. And the snake, sensing danger, slithered back into the underbrush.
Words That Matter
After the danger passed, Paco let out a long sigh. His feathers were ruffled, but his heart was quiet.
“You were right, Olivia,” he said softly. “I’ve been throwing words around like seeds in the wind, never caring where they landed.”
Olivia nodded, her eyes kind. “Words are seeds. And just like seeds, they grow—into good or into harm. A wise person knows when to speak, and when to be still.”
From that day forward, Paco still talked. But he thought first. He chose his words carefully. And the farm began to listen again.
The Wisdom of the Word
Scripture speaks clearly about the power of the tongue:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” ( Proverbs 18:21 )
And again, in the words of Jesus:
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” ( Matthew 12:36 )
Our words matter. They can heal or harm, build up or tear down, inspire or deceive. Like Paco learned, it’s not just about having a voice—it’s about using it wisely, in love and truth.