Mr. and Mrs. Smith were a happy couple that lived in a small apartment on the east side of Buffalo. They didn’t have any children, but they had a parrot named Polly. They loved Polly very much and spent a good deal of time with her, teaching her to speak. The only thing the Smiths could get Polly to say was “Who is it?” This was certain to bring some laughter every time someone knocked on the door.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith went shopping on Saturday afternoon, leaving Polly in the living room. A knock came at the door. “Who is it?” was Polly’s response.

A voice came from the hall. “It’s the plumber.”

After a few seconds of silence, came the knocking again. Polly responded, “Who is it?”

The voice again answered, “It’s the plumber!”

This was followed again by another knock, Polly’s response, and a very frustrated voice saying, “It’s the plumber!”

This went on several times with the voice of the plumber sounding angrier each time. Then, there was a loud thud in the hall.

Mrs. Smith entered the apartment building followed by her husband whose arms were filled with shopping bags. “There’s a man lying by our door!” exclaimed Mrs. Smith, “I think he’s fainted!”

Hurring to catch up with is wife, he shouted “Who is it?”

Polly’s screeching voice came from the apartment, “It’s the plumber!”

Parrots are thought of as being very intelligent because of their ability to speak, but they’re really not good conversationalists. They can only mimic the words they hear. Even in the wild, parrots have been known to mimic the sounds of other animals. It’s a case of “what goes in, is what comes out”, and we would do well to be aware of this in our own lives. The things that we surround ourselves with will influence our thoughts, words, and actions. Keep this in mind when selecting books, movies, computer games, television programs and even friends.

Remember, what goes in, is what comes out.

Psalms 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.