At Odds A local bookie was given a parrot in lieu of cash payment. The bird's vocabulary included choice phrases in English, French, Spanish and German. Sensing a winner, the bookie hauled the bird off to his favorite bar.
"He speaks four languages," the bookie explained to the bartender, who snorted in disbelief. "Wanna bet on it?" the bookie challenged.
Annoyed, the bartender finally agreed to a ten dollar wager. The bookie turned to the parrot and said, "Parlez-vous francais?" There was no response.
Nor was there any reply to the question in English, Spanish and German. The bartender picked up the bookie's $20 bill from the bar and went about his business.
On the street, the bookie glared at the bird. "You fink!" he exclaimed. "I had 20 bucks riding on you and you clammed up on me. I oughta strangle you!"
"Don't be a jerk," the parrot replied. "Just think of the odds you'll get tomorrow." | |
