Vera, the Slightly Mad Penguin Went for a Walk

Vera, the slightly mad penguin, went for a walk. Just because she felt like it, and the weather was just perfect for walking. Or actually, she waddled more than she walked. Her legs were irritatingly too short to do proper walking. So she was wobbling along, thinking about her short legs when she saw him.

He seemed strangely familiar, without her being able to tell why.

“Hello, dear lady,” he said, with a confidence Vera had never experienced herself.

“Lovely weather for a walk today,” he continued. “I’m Pica Pica.” He bowed.

“I’m Vera,” Vera said, stunned. Still wondering about that familiar feeling.

We must be from the same tribe, she decided. I’m not mad, she said to herself, well, maybe slightly.

Pica Pica took a couple of dance steps, shook his wings and sang with a rusty voice. Vera looked at the colours that suddenly sparked in his feathers and said, “Oh dear, you are a colourful one.”