The two gnomes in their blue-green hoods were still arguing as the one in front opened the heavy door and bemused eyed his companion. Rays of light flooded into the room as far as the big, solid birdcage. The instant before the door was shut the one who was already standing outside in the sunshine remarked: "Ah, but that's ridiculous, Othdrin! Birds mastering language? Not only the usual repeating of our
words? If you can prove the existence of such a thing, I'll eat my hat!"
Inside, in the cage, which was partly left in the shadow, one bird tilted it's head and started anew in it's shrill little voice, addressing it's spouse: "Well, listen Adecoona, it's all quite obvious, isn't it? If you first...."