Матильда

           Matilda’swonderfullysubtlemindwasalreadyatworkdevisingyetanothersuitablepunishmentforthepoisonousparent.Theplanthatwasnowbeginningtohatchinherminddepended,however,uponwhetherornotFred’sparrotwasreallyasgoodatalkerasFredmadeout.

           FredwasafriendofMatilda’s.Hewasasmallboyofsixwholivedjustaroundthecornerfromher,andfordayshehadbeengoingonaboutthisgreattalkingparrothisfatherhadgivenhim.

           Sothefollowingafternoon,assoonasMrs.Wormwoodhaddepartedinhercarforanothersessionofbingo,MatildasetoutforFred’shousetoinvestigate.Sheknockedonhisdoorandaskedifhewouldbekindenoughtoshowherthefamousbird.Fredwasdelightedandledheruptohisbedroomwhereatrulymagnificentblueandyellowparrotsatinatallcage.

           "Thereitis,"Fredsaid."It’snameisChopper."

           "Makeittalk,"Matildasaid.

           "Youcan’tmakeittalk,"Fredsaid."Youhavetobepatient.

           It’lltalkwhenitfeelslikeit."

           Theyhungaround,waiting.Suddenlytheparrotsaid,"Hullo,hullo,hullo."Itwasexactlylikeahumanvoice.Matildasaid,"That’samazing!Whatelsecanitsay?"

           "Rattlemybones!"theparrotsaid,givingawonderfulimitationofaspookyvoice."Rattlemybones!"

           "He’salwayssayingthat,"Fredtoldher.

           "Whatelsecanhesay?"Matildaasked.

           "That’saboutit,"Fredsaid."Butitisprettymarvellousdon’tyouthink?"

           "It’sfabulous,"Matildasaid."Willyoulendhimtomejustforonenight?"

           "No,"Fredsaid."Certainlynot."