Vera and the thief.

Vera didn’t know what to do, so she did the one thing she knew.

She took her purse and left in a hurry.

As she waddled through the meadow as fast as her tiny feet could manage, she heard a flirtatious voice say:

"Hey you, fair lady – why such a hurry?"

Vera didn’t know what to say.

She didn’t even know why she was hurrying.

"I love your shiny necklace," he said.

Vera looked around and spotted PicaPica sitting on a branch.

"Oh dear," she said, "it’s you."

"Yes, of course it’s me," he answered, slightly offended. "Who else?"

What are you doing today?" Vera asked.

"Well..." PicaPica said. He paused, looked around, and shook his wings a little.

"I was actually planning on stealing your shiny necklace," he said, "but I'm such a bad thief, and you are such a nice lady, that I think I might just see if I can find something else shiny to pick."

Vera looked at him with her black eyes. She looked for a long time.

PicaPica was getting nervous.

Finally, Vera spoke.

"I have some old silverware you might come and pick someday. Maybe Wednesday? I'll make some lunch," she said.

She kind of liked this colourful bird.

"I’d like to pick some of your silverware for lunch one day," he said. "And Wednesday seems as good as any other day.”

"Well then," said Vera, "then that's settled.”

Then she hurried on.