The Parrot's Picture Dictionary

The Parrot's Picture Dictionary Çınar BİBER

In the heart of the green forest, Percy the parrot lived in a tall kapok tree. His feathers were bright emerald green, and his chest shone red like a ripe berry. He loved to talk and ask questions. Every morning, he perched on a branch with his small canvas satchel full of crayons and paper. 'What a wonderful day to learn something new!' he chirped. 1

Percy spent his days flying through the forest, collecting leaves, flowers, and seeds. He drew each one carefully with his crayons. 'This is a red flower,' he said to himself, 'and this is a shiny beetle.' He kept all his drawings in his satchel. Soon the satchel was full of colorful pictures. Percy smiled. 'I have so many pictures. Maybe I can make a book!' 2

One sunny morning, Percy met Mika the monkey. Mika had soft brown fur, a cream face, and a long curling tail. She wore a small red neckerchief and carried a woven leaf basket. 'What are you doing?' she asked. Percy showed her his drawings. 'I'm making a picture dictionary,' he said. 'Each picture shows something from our forest.' Mika's eyes widened. 'That's a great idea!' 3

Mika wanted to help. 'I can draw things from my part of the forest,' she said. 'I know many plants and animals that you might not know.' Percy nodded. 'Yes! We can put them all in one book.' So they worked together. Percy drew flowers and beetles. Mika drew vines and butterflies. They laughed and shared crayons. The picture dictionary grew and grew. 4

Word spread through the forest. Animals came to see the picture dictionary. A shy deer pointed at a drawing of a fern. 'What's this?' she asked. Percy explained, 'That's a fern. It grows in the shade.' The deer nodded. 'We have ferns near our stream, too.' Mika added a drawing of a fern from her side. 'Now everyone can see both kinds,' she said. 5

One day, a family of animals from the other side of the river visited. They spoke a different language. They pointed at the river and made sounds that no one understood. The forest animals looked confused. 'How can we talk to them?' asked the deer. Percy thought for a moment. Then he remembered the picture dictionary. 'We can use our drawings!' he said. 6

Percy flew to get the picture dictionary. He opened it to a page with a drawing of water. He showed it to the visitors. They nodded and smiled. Then Mika drew a picture of a bridge. The visitors pointed at the drawing and then at the river. 'They want to cross!' said Mika. Everyone understood. The animals helped build a small bridge. 7

The visitors were happy. They wanted to share something too. One of them took a piece of paper and drew a big round fruit. 'What's that?' asked Percy. The visitor made eating motions. Mika said, 'It's a fruit they eat!' The visitor nodded. Then Percy drew a mango from their forest. The visitors smiled and pointed. They recognized it! 8

From that day on, the picture dictionary became a meeting place. Animals from both forests came to look at the drawings. They added new pictures and new words. Percy and Mika helped everyone understand each other. 'This is a seed,' Percy would say, pointing at a drawing. 'And this is how it grows into a tree.' The animals listened and learned. 9

Mika had an idea. 'Let's make a page for feelings,' she said. 'So we can share how we feel even without words.' She drew a happy face, a sad face, and a surprised face. Percy drew a scared face and a silly face. The animals looked at the drawings and pointed to the faces that matched their feelings. Everyone laughed together. 10

Then one day, a little bird from far away arrived. She was lost and couldn't find her way home. She chirped and chirped, but no one understood. Percy and Mika brought the picture dictionary. They showed her a drawing of a nest. The little bird nodded. She pointed to a drawing of a tall pine tree. Mika said, 'She lives in a pine tree!' 11

The animals knew where the pine trees grew. They led the little bird to the edge of the forest. The little bird was so happy. She sang a thank-you song. Percy and Mika waved goodbye. 'The picture dictionary helped again!' said Percy. Mika smiled. 'It helps everyone understand each other, no matter where they come from.' 12

The animals decided to celebrate with a big feast. They brought fruits and nuts from both forests. Percy and Mika put the picture dictionary in the middle. Everyone took turns drawing and sharing. The deer drew a flower. The visitors drew a fish. The little bird drew a heart. 'That means love,' said Mika. And everyone agreed. 13

As the sun set, Percy and Mika sat on a branch, looking at their picture dictionary. It was full of colorful drawings and happy memories. 'We made something wonderful,' said Percy. Mika nodded. 'It all started with your idea.' Percy chirped softly. 'And your help,' he said. 'Friendship and sharing made it grow.' 14

The picture dictionary stayed in a special place under the kapok tree. Animals came from near and far to look at it. They learned new words and made new friends. Percy and Mika often sat nearby, ready to help. 'Communication is like a bridge,' said Percy. 'It connects us all.' Mika smiled and agreed.