We had been on the road for 15 hours en route from New York to California and were looking for a place to spend the night. The story is told of a woman who bought a parrot to keep her company, but she returned it the next day. Parrots love mirrors. They see their reflection and start a conversation. The woman bought a mirror and left.
Parrots love ladders.
A happy parrot is a talkative parrot. The woman bought a ladder and left. But the next day, she was back. Well, that's the problem. Once he starts swinging, he'll talk up a storm.