The Parrot and the Cat

A man, having bought a parrot, let it loose in his house. The parrot, which was tame, hopped up and perched on the hearth, and from there began to chatter in a pleasing way. A cat, on seeing it, asked it who it was and where it came from. It replied, "The master has just bought me." "And you dare, most brazen of all creatures," retorted the cat, "you dare, a mere newcomer, to make such cries, while I, born in the house, am forbidden by the masters to cry out! And if it sometimes happens, they get angry and throw me out." "Be off, my fine lady; there is no comparison to be made between us; my voice does not grate on the masters as yours does."