Parrot’s perspective on sheep shearing: Travelogue of Australia and New Zealand
[This is the second part of this travelogue series. The first part can be read here.]
“What was that pic about? Hanging shoes on a tree. I guess it must have been announcement of Marathon.” Lulu, my parrot, asked. We were talking about my visit to Rotoruatown in New Zealand.
“You guessed it right. It was 50 years of marathon that they were celebrating. I saw this when I went to ‘Eat Street.’
“Khau Galli version of NZ? Eat Streat they spell it! Ha ha. I can bet Indians are at work there.”
“There are three Indian restaurants in that small area. Very popular.”
“You said ‘We watched something which you do not see in India.’ What was it?’”
“Agro Dome Sheep Shearing Show. Interesting is the skill of westerners to make a ‘show’ out of any activity. Sheep obeyed the commands of a man on the stage. And finally he picked one, held it firmly, and sheared the sheep. Less than two minutes it took. Stunning it was. But you do not like to see a ‘denuded’ sheep, Lulu. It was as if it was shorn of its pride.”
“Wow! Hmm…”
“Sheep are shorn once a year!”
“Hmmm…… Hmmm”
“And then he demonstrated how trained dogs control the sheep. The dogs responded to the whistles of the man.”
“Hmmm…..”
“What are you thinking?”
“Aren’t there parallels to this story in your corporate world?” Lulu’s questions are annoying. Lulu, my parrot, always has a different perspective on the man’s world. You animatedly talk about an interesting experience, and the parrot interprets it in his way. Why can’t parrots be like men?
[The animal in pic is Alpacas]
“Stop it. I never knew you were a leftist!” I took a deep breath to control my anger and continued, “They then took us on a long ride to the countryside. The grazing sheep gathered around us. They even ate out of our hands. It was a tickling experience for some of us.” I looked at Lulu. “Oh, stop it! I do not like the smirk. Are you listening to me or interpreting your analogy in your leftist way, Lulu?”
“Ok, ok man….. I am sorry”
“We then visited the famous Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. There is a geo-thermal activity there and a geyser called Pohutu erupts – it is a great sight to see. The entire area is simply beautiful.”
“They have made efforts to preserve the Maori culture.”
“And they have an establishment for teaching and promoting Maori art and craft. We watched their dance.”
“Wow! You have thrown quite a light on these interesting places to see in NZ.”
“’Throwing light’ did you say? That reminds me of something I saw in NZ, and it reminded me of what I saw in Jamaica.”
“What is it, man? Tell me.”
“Wait for two days to hear that story. Let the suspense build up.”
“Eeeeeeeh!” Lulu protested, “Don’t do the Arabian Nights trick on me.”
Enjoying reading your travel blog. Hope to visit NZ sometime. Deepak' wants to do Sheep hearing there!!!!
enjoyed reading your travel blog. Hope to visit NZ sometime in the near future. Deepak' dream is to shear Sheep there!!!!
What an interactive way of narrating a travelogue! You know what, the same thought crossed mind as did Lulu's when you mentioned a man whistling to instruct dogs who bullied the poor sheep! 😀 Yes, may be I am leftist, or may be I am a parrot?????