January 26. “Where were you and Dost last evening?”

“Button, I told you earlier in the day that we would be attending a friend’s bash at the Marriot.”

“I can’t recall you telling me that. I waited up for you till 12.30 and then went to bed.”

“I am sorry but you could have checked with either Rani or Mowgli, you know!”

“Did the two of you have a nice time?”

“We had a lovely time. Let’s also keep the story on hold today because I have something to tell you.”

“Say, na.”

“This morning, after I had given the birds their food, I suddenly spotted MoJo resting her two front legs on the window ledge, gazing at something on the other side of the window.”

“And?”

“She was staring at a parrot on the other side and, from the look of it, seemed that the two were in deep conversation!”

“What do you think they were talking about?”

“This could have been the nature of their conversation—Hello, tota. What are you doing on the outside? Come in and play with me.”

“To which the parrot must have answered—You think I am stupid? You want to make a meal out of me if I did that!”

“MoJo must have replied saying—Try it out. And how is it that I see you this minute and the next moment, you’re gone?”

“It’s called magic. Do you want to watch me make you disappear? I am a magician by profession.”

“Please leave me alone. I want to be here. And don’t try your hocus-pocus on me.”

“As you say. And, unlike you, I can also fly and that’s how you see me this minute and, again, you don’t!”

“MoJo—And what are you eating?”

“Parrot—The nice green chilly the lady of the house has left for me on the window ledge.”

“MoJo—I see she feeds you every day. Do you have friends?”

“Parrot—Lots of them. I’ll get them across one of these days and introduce them to you.”

“MoJo—must run along now and eat my toast. I’ll catch up with you again.”