Melodious Macaw

11th Jan 2018,

_{Dogs can't speak human. Here's the tech that could change that.}

A pet translator could be available in less than a decade.

An online article suggested that Artificial Intelligence was venturing toward developing technology that would help you converse with your pets.

Oh! wow I thought, wouldn't it be lovely to have a conversation with Boscow (my pet bird, a macaw)...I went to his cage, Yeh, boy looks like we will conversation in near future. Boscow looks at me squawking, nodded his head sideways and then looked away...hmm looked like he wasn't interested in AI, never mind you will be thrilled the day it happens, I con't.

What more can a bird ask for than talk, that too a macaw !, I for once would be relieved from your loud sounds...I swung the cage lightly and moved on.

Boscow squawk some more...I got back to my work, losing the thought somewhere in my chores.

Come night, as per my routine I decided to check on Boscow before I slept. The bird was sleeping, eyes half open, half shut.

The thought returned as I went to bed and drifted to sleep.

Get up Andy, you lazy bones no amount of alarm works on you, from now on I take charge of waking you up....rrraagh, rrraagh

I open my eyes and see a big macaw, with his wings spread, hovering over me...Boscow!

Have you ever heard a macaw sound, they are the loudest screeching birds according to me, their sound as ugly as they are beautiful.

Come on, why are you staring like a geek, he continued loudly with big flaps...I felt Boscow growing bigger and louder as minutes passed.

He followed me to kitchen.

I live in a rented apartment in Kochi away from my large joint family in Ahmedabad. A long road journey ensured that I could take Boscaw with me. It was hard at the beginning for both of us specially for Boscaw living away from a house full of hustle bustle.

But now I love my peace, with Boscaw squawking occasionally.

"Pour some more milk, how will you get any nourishment eating noodles all day." a little perplexed I still did as he said.

"When did you learn to speak?" I asked.

" Dodo, didn't you get that machine for me? God this boy!" Boscaw turned his head almost 360 degrees.

"Ah, now I suggest you tie up a tiffin wala for lunch and dinner, no need to eat outside food, Ok?" saying Boscaw flew into bedroom.

rrraagh, rrrraaagh, rrrraaagh, now the bird was screeching from the bedroom.

"Do ever put your clothes to wash? what a stink these socks have, Oh God". He flew right back into the kitchen and perched on the table. His eyes boring into me. " I suggest, you take leave," he said. "What! and why should I?" I asked sitting opposite.

I was beginning to get use to the idea of a talking bird

"To put the house in order, you dum dum, look around this is where a pig would stay. This is no way to live."

Next was, "Have to see the cobwebs in the house?", he flew practically to every corner of the room pointing them to me.

"You must talk to Shantabai this weekend and get her to clean properly.

I nodded, still dazed a little with turn of events, soon I went for a shower, in less than 10 mins the bird was back banging the bathroom door. "Come out, aren't you getting late?, you take so much time for a simple bath."

I came out, Silence! "No sound, thank god" I went to get ready.

Suddenly a bird fly's in, hovering on my head, "Done?" your friend has come already.

Ashutosh was my office buddy staying in the same building, we had decided on a car pool, so he would knock at the door everyday on his way down.

"Come in Ashutosh," I heard the bird.

Boscow was soon becoming an alien to me.

He perched himself on the sofa opposite Ashu. "So how is work coming along," asked Boscow. Ashu was scared out of his wits he had never witnessed a talking bird. He decided to sit on the chair closest to the door.

"Ah, Hmm, Boscow, I didn't know you can talk", said Ashu who was practically on the edge of the chair ready to bolt if required. Boscaw bobbed his head in response.

"So what up with Disha? All going well?" asked Boscow shaking his head up and down his head. From what I have heard, I suggest you get rid of her,", she is not meant for you." said Boscaw in a clam tone.

Ashu looked at Boscaw in disbelief.

I entered the room to witness the disaster unfolding, Boscow continued speaking. "Andy talks to me about her!" said the bird bobbing his head and flapping his wings. A harmless conversation with a bird was turning into a horror film.

"Andy has been discussing my girlfriend, with you?" Ashutosh looked at me in disbelief and I in turn looked at the bird with horror.

"I will see you downstairs," saying Ashu left the house.

This was just the beginning of what was to follow...

I was dumbstruck with what was happening, My peaceful life was transforming into a nightmare in front of my eyes.

As the day went Boscow spoke non stop. He gave me instructions left right and center....finding fault with everything around.

The bird was a charmer he refused to be caged anymore, he would praise the girls, flying around them pecking on their cheeks. I found him gossiping with building watchman and ladies!

"Andy your bird can speak to humans, you didn't share, hmm lucky boy" by evening the people who just waved and said hello, where actually winking and smirking at me. I was embarrassed, now I was the one in the cage!

tring, tring, tring....

The alarm went out. I woke with sweat on my forehead. I threw my blanket and went straight to the hall.

Boscaw was in his cage, happily munching on his breakfast that Shantabai had dished out.

I slowly walked closer to him. rrraaagh rrraagh ! Boscaw greeted me.

I turned and saw the article on the table, I looked back at Boscaw....he greeted again a little louder rrraagh!

For the first time in my life, a macaw sounded melodious to me!