Polly Wants a Book!

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A fellow in Boro Park decides that he wants a pet. Going into the neighborhood pet store, he's quickly attracted by the bright plumage and poise of the three parrots.

Pointing to the first, he asks the Jewish pet store owner, "How much for that parrot?"

He is stunned by the reply: "Five hundred dollars."

"What could possibly make that bird be worth that kind of money?" he wonders aloud.

"Well," explains the owner, "this parrot knows the entire Tanach (Five Books of Moses plus the Prophets and Writings) by heart!"

Sure enough, they say the first three words of a number of biblical verses, and the parrot flawlessly completes the verses!

The fellow expresses his amazement but, noting the stiff price tag, points to the second parrot and asks the price. He's even more astounded when he hears: "Two thousand dollars!" To explain the steep price, the storeowner continues, "This parrot knows the entire Talmud by heart -- with the commentaries of Rashi and Tosafos!"

Twenty minutes of testing follow, with the parrot responding precisely and correctly about even the most obscure Talmudic subjects!

Deciding that two grand was out of his price range, the customer pointed to the last parrot, hoping for a reasonable buying price. "Oh that one? He's $5,000."

The customer exclaims, "What can this bird possibly know that could even remotely justify that outrageous price?!"

"Well, we really aren't sure what he knows," admitted the store owner. "But the other two call him 'Rebbi' (Teacher)!"

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