She always chose the fig.
News of the “Judge Parrot” reached the caliph’s court in Baghdad. Among the curious was a young, sharp-nosed scholar named Al-Jahiz. He was neither a mystic nor a fool. He had read Aristotle on animals and had wandered the souks watching monkeys mimic barbers and hyenas feign death. He suspected a trick. Al jahiz book of animals pdf
“Old man,” he said, “I am Rashid of Kufa. My brother and I share a well. He says I may draw water only at dawn. I say any hour. Let your parrot judge.” She always chose the fig
The parrot sat still. Then, slowly, she turned her head, fixed one yellow eye on Al-Jahiz, and dropped the pebble onto the right side of the dish. He was neither a mystic nor a fool
For ten years, no one could prove her wrong.