One of Princess Pirouette’s favorite visitors to the nursery was Captain Krank. A true buccaneer, he always wore his sword on a loose belt so that the scabbard bounced against his leg, creating a distinctive thump-thump-thump in time with his stride. His best friend was a large crow named Uncle Jean who was perpetually perched on his shoulder. To the delight of all the children, this avian prodigy was capable of simple conversation and with every visit came a new trick.
On this particular visit, Princess Pirouette had a field day chatting with Uncle Jean. “Hi! Uncle Jean!” She exclaimed.
“Hello,” he replied. “Good girl! Good girl!”
Pirouette giggled gleefully. Unsure of whether his response was a query or an observation, she responded with a simple “yes.”
“Uncle Jean has a new trick for you, yer worship,” said the captain. “Do you want to show her?” He asked of the bird who answered by bobbing his head up and down. “Good boy,” said the swashbuckler as he popped a treat into his mouth. Marching along the ridge of the man’s shoulder to the back of his head, the creature used his beak to untie the ribbon that was holding his hair in place. Familiar with the drill, Pirouette placed her hand in front of herself, thereby providing a convenient platform for Uncle Jean to land. Dropping the ribbon into her other hand, he said, “Pretty! Pretty!”
“It is a pretty pink ribbon,” observed the little girl.
Cocking its head to one side, he replied, “No! You pretty! You pretty!”
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