A FRIENDLY FLOCK AVIARY POEMS & FUN

Flock poems & fun

Friendly Flock

Aviary

Here are some things that we have collected through the years...

Some funny, some sad....Some that just go straight to your heart

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BAGGAGE

Author Unknown

Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed,

All nicely tucked in my warm new bed.

I'll open my baggage, lest I forget,

There's so much to carry, So much to regret.

Hmm... Yes, there it is, right on the top

Let's unpack Loneliness and Loss, and there by my perch hides Fear and Shame, As I look at these things I tried so hard to leave, I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain!

I loved them, the others… the ones who left me,

But I wasn't good enough, it's easy to see...

Will you add to my baggage? Will you help me unpack?

Or will you look at my problems, and take me right back??

Do you have time to love me and help me come through,

To throw out old baggage and live here with you?

I pray that you will I'm so tired you see,

But I do come with baggage,

WILL YOU STILL WANT ME???

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Parrot Commandments:

1. I am Parrot; thou shalt not attend to other beings in My Presence.

2. Thou shalt Love Me absolutely and without reservation.

3. Thou shalt keep holy My feeding times.

4. Thou shalt provide regular baths.

5. Thou shalt honor Me above all other creatures.

6. Thou shalt never raise thine hand against Me.

7. I am thy Mate. Thou shalt not hold affection for other beings.

8. Thou shalt honor My Beak, My Crop, and My Every Desire.

9. Thou shalt not covet the offerings of thy pet stores.

Thou Hast Me.

10. Should'st thou fail to observe the foregoing commandments,

I will ruin thine ears.

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A Parrots Prayer

By: Sally Brooks 8-03-00 Edited By: Dyann 8-02-01

For all the wild caught Parrots so savagely netted and swept away from their families while their babies, dumped into burlap sacks, cried out in TERROR!

For all the exotic birds that witnessed the destruction of all the blessed trees and fled in fear from man's theirs to dominate, stripping the land of all it's inhabitants, leaving nothing but bare ground behind.

For all the parrots that struggled through the capture, but died merciless in transport from the stress of overcrowded, barbaric, confinements and inconceivable horror.

For all the survivors that made it into captivity but exist in a nightmare of confinement, unable to use their God given wings of flight as they once remembered.

For all the baby birds bred in captivity whose crops burned or have died needlessly from harshness of human hands.

For all captive birds that have been erased from their owners consciousness and are abandoned to a lifeless existence with only a distant memory of what it was like to hear a gentle voice from someone that used to care.

For all those helpless creatures who don't now what it's like to live life as a bird or even to feel the breeze or sunlight but are doomed to darkness in closets or garages, trapped inside covered cages or shackled.

For all the Macaws, Cockatoos, Amazons and Conures that are stripped of their vocal cords for screaming; their sensitive beaks cut back to prevent biting.

For all birds that end up for sale in pet shops or breeders like used merchandise, unwanted and frightened in strange surroundings with nothing more than the familiar sight of bars on a cage.

For all the neglected birds that are sick with infections from filthy conditions and malnourishment that may never recover and know what it WAS like to feel healthy and be playful.

For all the misconceived parrots that were beaten, stabbed, blinded and burned for just being a parrot.

For every African Grey, Cockatoo and Macaw that punishes itself from confinement and boredom by maiming their bodies and plucking their feathers and for those who have lost all spirit of life and sway their head low from side to side slowly into insanity!!!

Precious Lord, we ask you to look upon all of your magnificent feathered creations and protect them from evil and harm caused by man. Lord, bring forth an AWAKENING in our hearts and make it a kinder, gentler world for all captive birds.

Thank you in Jesus' Name.... AMEN

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CREATION

On the First Day

God created the Parrot

On the Second Day

God created Man to Serve the Parrot

On the Third Day

God created all the vegetables and nuts on the earth to serve a potential food for the

Parrot, IF he liked them

On the Fourth Day

God created honest toil so that man could labor for the good of the Parrot

On the Fifth Day

God created trees and branches and cables and ropes so that the Parrot could chew

them through

On the Sixth Day

God created Veterinary Science to keep the Parrot healthy and man broke

On the Seventh Day

God tried to rest, But he had to clean the Parrot cage

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To all who have lost a dear friend

May you find some comfort in reading this

little poem:

-Author Unknown

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say.

But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.

I'm writing this from the Bridge. Here I dwell with God above.

Here there are no more tears of sadness. Here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.

Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.

That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,

God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you.

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.

As for your dearest family, they’ll be here later on."

God gave me a list of things that he wished for me to do.

And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you

And when you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight,

God and I are closest to you... in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years,

because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.

But do not be afraid to cry: it does relieve the pain.

Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.

If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.

But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.

I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;

but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.

It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too;

that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain;

Then you can say to God at night... "My day was not in vain."

And now I am contented... that my life was worthwhile.

Knowing as I passed along I made somebody smile.

God says: "If you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low;

just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.

When you're walking down the street with me on your mind;

I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind."

"And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free.

Remember you're not going... you're coming here to me."

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Top Ten Bird Rules

1. If you like it, it's mine.

2. If I can reach it, it's mine.

3. If it's in my beak, it's mine.

4. If I can take it from you, it's mine.

5. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.

6. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.

7. If I'm chewing something, all the pieces are mine.

8. If it looks like mine, it's mine.

9. If I saw it first, it's mine.

10. If you have something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.

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Pet's Bill of Rights

-Anonymous

1. We have the right to be full members of your family.

We thrive on social interaction, praise, and love.

2. We have the right to stimulation. We need new games,

new toys, new experiences, and new smells to be happy.

3. We have the right to regular exercise. Without it,

we could become hyper, sluggish... or fat.

4. We have the right to have fun. We enjoy acting like clowns

now and then; don't expect us to be predictable all the time.

5. We have the right to quality health care. Please stay good

friends with our vet.

6. We have the right to a good diet. Like some people,

we don't know what's best for us. We depend on you.

7. We have the right not to be rejected because of your

expectations that we be great show dogs or show cats,

watchdogs, hunters, or baby-sitters.

8. We have the right to receive proper training. Otherwise,

our good relationship could be marred by confusion and strife -

and we could become dangerous to ourselves and others.

9. We have the right to guidance and correction based on understanding

and compassion, rather than abuse.

10. We have the right to live with dignity...

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On the lighter side

A kind-hearted lady adopted a parrot, given to a shelter for no known

reason. He was a beautiful bird, lovely colors and did not bite.

After getting the bird home, he started cussing at everyone, using the most

disgusting bad language the lady had ever heard. She tried and tried to get

the bird to moderate his language, but to no avail. The parrot embarrassed

her in front of her family and friends regularly.

One day, the mayor's wife showed up at the door while the lady was working

in the kitchen. In a panic, afraid of offending the mayor's wife, she

grabbed the parrot, wrapped him in a towel, and stuffed him in the freezer.

After the mayor's wife left, she hurried back to the freezer to get the bird

out. The parrot was a bit chilled, but otherwise still fine.

The parrot looked up at his owner and said, "Madam, I am aware that I have

offended you with my vocabulary, and I promise that I will undertake to mend

my ways ... However ... May I ask? What did the turkey in there do to offend

you?"

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What kind of parrot are you.

http://tinyurl.com/5zkc7

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Cheaters beware

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/01/17/uk.parrot/index.html

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A Parrot Rule Book

Part 1: Species Specific

I will not climb on top of my cage whenever the opportunity arises and dare my human to get me down giving them the Umbrella Cockatoo war dance.

Ringnecks and Alexandrines should not enter the budgie cage and then complain about getting stuck.

Amazon parrots do not fit inside budgie nest boxes.

I will not show off my African Grey vocabulary by sitting on my human father's shoulder as he is about to lecture my human and begin the preamble of the lecture for him.

I will not try to call the local Moluccan flock into the house through an open window at the very crack of dawn.

I will not play King Kong by hanging on the side of the budgies' cage. I am an Eclectus, not a gorilla.

I will not fly into my human's friend's mouth. (This is a parakeet.)

Puking and such

I shall not demonstrate my affection by regurgitating while giving kisses!!!

I will not barf in my human's beard, even if offering my barfed up lunch is a sign of love for a bird's mate.

I will not barf on my human's toes, no matter how much I think that they look like baby birds.

Just because I am weaned does not mean I have to return the favor to my hand feeder...no matter how strong my urges are.

I will not drink so much of my shower water that I spend an hour spitting it back up.

Pooping

I will not decide after my water has been changed to poop in it and then take a bath.

I will not jump into my humans' bowl of popcorn and poop.

I will not poop in my human's hair, down her back, etc., etc.

I will not poop in the printer.

I will not poop into my human's open purse several times after escaping my cage, and leave it for her to find later.

I will not poop on my human's hand and then fly away, just because I can.

I will not poop on my human's new sofa.

I will not poop on my human's $150 silk blouse that has to be dry cleaned.

I will not poop on the bathroom fixtures and then fly away, leaving another bird to be blamed for my misdeeds.

I will not poop on the computer.

I will not poop on the keyboard (just an accident, honest).

I will not poop on the others in my cage, even if it's extremely funny and makes them scream.

I won't climb on the cages and poop on the budgies. It's a big poop for such little heads.

I will not sit on the very edge of my T-stand and poop where it will hit the carpet.

I will not use picture frames as perches, then poop right down the front of the picture - and same with the mini blinds.

I will not wait until the precise moment, when the husband says, "That bird is gonna poop everywhere!" and then you say, "Aw, he's a good boy. He won't do a no-no," to poop.

The basket of clean laundry is not my personal potty.

Part 2: Hanky Panky

I will not mate with random piece of Kleenex, then fall over beak first and lie there gasping after my work is finished. (At least, not in front of company!)

I will not attempt to mate with my human's nightgown.

I will not humpty-dumpty with kids under 6 years visiting.

I will not conduct our hanky-panky sessions on the windowsill of the front bedroom window so that my human's adult and child neighbors come running to ask just what it was exactly we were doing up on the windowsill a little while ago.

I will not get frisky in front of dinner guests.

I will respect the hands, wrists, feet, knees, elbows, and other parts of my human's body and not try to mate with them any time I feel frisky.

Just because I love a bird that is not my species does not mean I can chase him/her around and try to get jiggy with it.

I should never do the mating dance with my favorite toy during dinner as my humans do not find it half as funny as I do.

Biting, screaming, etc

I shall cease doing my loudest scream in my human's ear right after I have snuggled up on her neck making kissing sounds and whispering I love you's.

I also will not laugh my evilest laugh when she winces in pain and sits there with a dazed look on her face until she can hear again.

I will not acquire an attitude because my human clipped my toenails and refuse to be touched, fed, etc. for days. I know she is just saving her shoulders.

I will not bite my human's nose when she is holding me if anyone dares to come near us without my approval.

I will not bite my human's fingers while s/he's trimming my nails.

I will not climb in my human's hair when I have to go back in my cage getting my feet tangled.

I will not give my human kisses one second and the next second give her the beak of death.

I will not put my head down to be scratched then whirl around and bite them and laugh.

I will not scare senior citizens to death by flying on their heads and chewing on their wigs and jewelry.

I will not wait until my human has walked outside the house to start fights with my birdie brother inside my human's shirt, while we both scream and bite at anything indiscriminately, causing my human to bounce around and scream at us to cut it out, in front of the entire neighborhood.

I will not attempt to amputate every mole, freckle or skin tab on my slave's face or neck.

I will not put chewed paper into my human's ear, and then scream when it is rejected.

I will not walk around the house, hiding under beds and rushing out to bite toes.

I will not pull chunks of hair out when my person tries to disentangle me from the top of his or her head.

Grooming

I will not wait for Mom to clean my cage and put in new newspapers to take my bath and soak everything.

I will not fly like I'm fully flighted just after a wing clip.

I will not beg for hours to take a shower then just stand there with my wings clamped to my body and not move once I get under the water.

I will not bite my humans’ body parts when taking a shower with them.

I will not chew and sharpen my own nails and then head for the first bare shoulder I see.

I will not pluck my feathers out every time my human gets new perfume or cologne.

Part 3: Birdie Courtesy

Humans who wear glasses need them. I will not insist on attempting to remove every pair I see.

I will not beg by hanging upside down with my wings outstretched at dinner.

I will not bob my head and laugh when misfortune befalls my humans and they trip or drop things, nor will I fly over and circle above their heads and shriek wildly to add to the melee.

I will not drop my treats through the mesh in the cage bottom and then beg for another one (20 times in a row!).

I will not escape and hide in the curtains and refuse to come when called, making my owner fear I'm dead somewhere in the house.

I will not fall into a dark corner I cannot get out of then remain silent so my human can not find me.

I will not fly down from the top of my cage then hide. This makes my human afraid that the cat, dog, or bigger bird has eaten me.

I will not indicate that I am finished with my snack by flinging my dish as far as possible.

I will not look high and low to locate a dried poop and then conspicuously chew on it to just to annoy my human and then fly off to make her come after me to take it away.

I will not perch on the top of my human's glass and dip my head way down in a take a drink (also leaving a little of what I ate last).

I will not want to go to sleep at 1:30 in the morning and wake up at 5:00 in the morning.

It's not funny to imitate the telephone as soon as my human gets into the shower.

I will stop landing on shoulders unannounced, while owner is in the shower.

I will not help to wrap Christmas presents (sticky tape, feathers and paper don't mix).

I will not steal whole slices of toast off the breakfast plate and drop them butter side down.

I will not stick my beak into any unguarded cup of coffee when I know it's not good for me.

My human's purse, shopping bags and back pack are not for my personal enjoyment, and I will not climb into them anymore stealing whatever I want.

When my human's back is turned at the pet store, I will not reach into her purse and pluck out one of her tampons and proceed to unwrap it and start shredding it. Likewise, when she leaves me in the car for a second, I will not climb onto the back of the seat, after stealing one of the above and proceed to play with it while people are looking into the windows, amazed to see such a bird and prompting them to ask my human when she returns to the car, "What is he doing?".

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http://www.zippyvideos.com/3601980204365736/pixar_-_for_the_birds/

A CHEAP BIRD'S PLEA

What is it that my life is worth

How much will you pay

To what extent would you go

If I get ill today?

I know I'm not an expensive bird

My cost is fairly cheap

But what is the price you put on life

For something that you keep?

My wings still spread out the same

My heart still has a beat

So why is it that my cousins

Are the ones you hold so sweet?

I cannot help that I was born

Without a golden egg

Will you still take care of me

Or make me plead and beg?

I rely on you to help me

As I can't do it for myself

Will you take the steps needed

Or just put me on the shelf?

So when you walk by me

Please look me in the eye

If it would come down to it

Would I live or die?

Written By Joyce Glass

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Tears

He sits alone huddled in a cramped dirty cage.

He did not choose to be here; at one time he had freedom.

That was long ago, in his book of life a long gone page.

He had a full life, trees, the wind under his wings pools of water, flocks of friends; he was a king once, long ago in his home land far away.

He was captured one day, in a net, now he's here to stay never again to be free, to fly, to have companionship, or to explore.

The smugglers resigned him to his fate, evermore.

He has had many homes, after sitting unwanted months in a pet store.

They bought him for his beauty, but they all failed to recognize the beauty inside.

He preens his dull shabby feathers; he can hardly move them for in the small cage his wings are too wide.

He looks dully around him from all hope removed eyes.

He gives up on a home that will love and care for him, and where they would talk about him with pride.

He looks listlessly at the cup of dirty water and the dirty sunflower seeds, crawling with moths inside.

He longs for a home that will love him, and give him a nice roomy cage. Long ago his hope faded, and depression replaced his rage.

He longed for toys, bright colors, and space, fresh fruit and vegetables too.

He would try so hard to be good, if they just gave him a chance he would show them he was loveable, smart, and a beauty he could preen his feathers like new.

Through no fault of his own he was here, in a pet store once again.

No one had made the commitment, or taken the responsibility which was not his sin.

They grew tired of having a parrot, their unreasonable expectations; he could not live up to.

Instead of loving him for what he was and making him a family member true, they dumped him in a store, to exist in misery through no fault of his own.

It was on this Thanksgiving Day he gave up hope of having a family.

He was sick and it was left untreated, he could hardly breathe.

Depressed and without hope, despondent as could be, he closed his eyes one last time and off to freedom he flew to have a flock of friends, companionship at last.

His dreams were finally realized and this in his heart he knew, no one could take it away.

This time it was permanent.

He found his final peace, his eluding happiness, yes, this time he was truly and forever for all eternity, free to fly the heavens, to finally find the love that surrounded him, coming from above.

--Submitted by anonymous author from AOL

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LEND ME A BIRD

"I will lend to you for a while, a bird", God said. For you to love him while he lives and to mourn for him when he is dead.

Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe for two or three. But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you and should his stay be brief, You'll always have his memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise that he will stay, since all from earth return, But there are lessons taught below I want this bird to learn.

I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true. And from the folks that crowd life's land, I have chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love; nor think the labor vain; Nor hate me when I come to take my lovely bird again?

I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, thy will be done, for all the joys this bird will bring, the risk of grief we'll run."

Will you shelter him with tenderness? Will you love him while you may? And for the happiness you'll know forever grateful stay?

But should I call him back much sooner than you've planned; Please brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

If, by your love, you've managed, my wishes to achieve, In memory of him you've loved; be thankful; do not grieve.

Cherish every moment of your feathered charge. He filled your home with songs of joy the time he was alive. Let not his passing take from you those memories to enjoy.

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NOBODY TOLD ME

The author of "Nobody Told Me" is Lori Hubbard Zywciel. It was inspired by her Red Front Macaw, Zuni

... I had hints, I had advice, I had cautions, but nobody told me how

owning birds would completely take over my life.

Nobody told me I'd become a bird store junky, standing at the checkout

counter in bliss until half way home and then wondering just how long

it would be before the Visa came in or my husband asked for the check

book to balance the account.

Nobody told me my husband would say, "I think you ought to stay away

from the bird store. You seem to have lost all control". Hmmmm ... Me?

How did this happen?

Nobody told me when I saw a particular cage for $595.00 I might think

"Wow, that IS a good deal." Or when someone mentioned a $4,000.00 cage

I could see the reason some people might need a cage like that.

Nobody told me that I would be up at 7:00am on Sunday morning peeling

yams and apples to cook so they would be added into a corn meal and

wheat cereal mash.

Nobody told me I wouldn't mind when feeding that mash to my bird he

would shake his head with that mixture flying in every direction, on

to my carpet, on to my clothes, on to my face.

Nobody told me how much money I would spend on food, how much of it I

would buy and just how little my birds would like any of it.

Nobody mentioned that once you own birds you need an extra freezer in

the garage.

Nobody told me that I would spend an hour standing with my hand on a

tree branch watching for hawks so my bird could hang out in the sun and

chew new buds.

Nobody told me I would be on the computer at all hours talking and

reading about birds.

Nobody told me I would make friends I will never see and that I would

worry about them and theirs as if family.

Nobody told me I would check my son's bed for old or damaged stuffed

animals to give to the bird like that stuffed cat. He never really

liked it and it is missing a leg anyway.

Nobody told me I would do two extra loads of laundry a week with bird

towels and sheets.

Nobody told me every morning I would put a sheet over my covers, litter

my bed with weird wooden things, stuffed animals, leather pieces, apple

slices and peanuts.

Nobody told me just how much he would squawk.

Nobody told me I would come to hear differences in the tone and

shrillness.

Nobody told me I not only could tell the difference but would learn

when to respond or that my husband would say "It's okay. This is his

good morning happy time. He will settle down."

Nobody could have known that my husband would say, "So he squawks.

It is less and less. The kids will deal with it."

Nobody told me I could play with him like I do. That he would chase me

and I would chase him. That he would be just as exuberant as a puppy.

Nobody told me my husband would rather snuggle with the bird in the

morning than make his bagel.

Nobody told me my husband would make an extra half a bagel to share

with the birds.

Nobody could have convinced me that this same husband would agree to

shower with the birds in the bathroom (for the steam) and then without

urging, could be heard to play peek-a-boo while drying off.

Nobody told me how much I would sing out loud.

Nobody could have guessed those songs would be golden oldies like "You

Are My Sunshine" or songs from musicals.

Nobody told me how excited I would get to come home after six hours and

see seed thrown all over the place. Yea! He ate while I was gone.

Nobody told me that I would not resent vacuuming twice a day to clean

up the mess he made while eating alone.

Nobody told me how my heart would tighten when I got home today after

being gone for six hours and took my squawking baby out.

Nobody told me how I would feel when sooo tired I put out a sheet on

the floor, put toys all over, grabbed a pillow for me, lay down and my

birdie only wanted to snuggle with me.

Nobody told me how a bird can be my guardian angel on my pillow

while I am sick.

Nobody told me how it would feel to have a little bird body across your

chest and neck, little head on your cheek. I was not told how soft his

kisses would be or how warm his face was as he fell asleep on my cheek

cooing softly.

Nobody told me how long I would lay there awake so he could sleep.

Everybody told me I would love him.

Nobody could tell me how much.

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The Parrot Ten Commandments:

1) My life is likely to last 10 or more years. Any separation from you will be painful to me. Remember that before you take me home.

2) Give me time to understand what you want from me.

3) Place your trust in me. It is crucial to my well-being.

4) Don't be angry with me for long, don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I have only you.

5) Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when it is speaking to me.

6) Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it.

7) Remember before you hit me that I have a beak that could easily crush the bones of your hand, but I chose not to bite you.

8) Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food or I've been in my cage too long

9) Take care of me when I get old; you too will get old.

10) Go with me on the last journey. Never say "I can't bear to watch it" or "Let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember that I love you.

For the birds....Pixar clip...

This is a cute little clip....Just click on the box to view.

Before you view this go up to the music box on the left hand side under the index.

Turn off the music, so you can hear this clip..

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