The major messages of this playful story by Robert Olen Butler are the importance of communication in a relationship, and that jealousy can develop into a dangerous obsession. A jealous husband who did not articulate his love or concerns enough is resurrected as a parrot and purchased as a pet by his recently widowed wife. When taken “home” in a cage, he finds she is enjoying her newfound freedom with a string of other partners. Ironically, now realizes how much he loves her, but doesn’t have the vocabulary to tell her. Themes include love, communication, infidelity, jealousy, obsession.
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