Parrot Poaching

"I tried to warn them
of the poachers!
I saw them coming.
I told everybody,
but no one listened
until it was too late."

Perched at the edge of a limb,
A calm owl and a terrified parrot engaged
In candid discussion.

The parrot said:

"My problem is when I speak,
no one hears my words.
No one ever listens to what I have to say.
If they do happen to hear my words,
They never understand."

"I disagree." Said the owl.
"When you speak,
Your audience hears everything.
Your listeners hear too much.
And when a listener hears too much,
They learn nothing.
If you want your audience
To hear your words,
You need to become
A better listener."

The parrot nodded in disapproval.

"The problem with being a good listener"

He said.

"Is no one hears your think."  

"In all my years of talking,"
The parrot said as he began to fly away.
"I've never needed to listen."

The owl watched the parrot
Fly straight into the sights of the poachers
And then heard gunshots.
At the same time,
He heard the rustle of his next meal
Nestled in a safe place
Away from the poacher's hunting grounds.

"In all my years of listening,"
The owl thought to himself
As he spotted prey
"I have never been betrayed
By my own silence."