Penguin
by Arshia Eghbali ︎︎︎Everything was quite normal when I entered my apartment. Everything was quite normal, that is, until I turned on the lights and found a tuxedo-wearing penguin voluptuously smoking a cigar on my sofa. Now, the astute reader will probably object that such a thing is pure poppycock, as the aquatic bird is known to avoid all sorts of smoke. That was exactly my thought too, and so much I pointed out to my unexpected guest.
No reply.
I must admit that I regretted the remark immediately. Of course, I was upset that my privacy had been breached like that, but I was in no position to question my distinguished visitor’s relationship with tobacco anyway.
I apologised.
At this point, I was concerned with two things. One; the atmosphere was still rather heavy. Two; I was mistaken about the tuxedo and the gentlebird was positively naked—a fact that only added to the awkwardness of the situation. So, I decided to strike up conversation and break the ice with the polar bird.
“I am a fan of your books”, I announced.
The learned reader is certainly more than familiar with the widely treasured paperbacks, and will grant me that, given the circumstances, it was naturally a most apt subject to come to mind. My guest, however, did not seem to think so. I was once more left with an embarrassing silence.
“Very well”, I said out loud, as I decided there was no point in trying to establish amicability and we had better get to the core of this. “What can I do for you, sir?”.
Again, no reply.
Hopelessly, I dropped the idea of communicating with my quiet intruder and proceeded to make myself a cup of tea. As a matter of fact, I did not really mind some company, especially, if small talk was not expected. The apartment was certainly large enough for the two of us. And to be honest, there was not much coming and going either.
From the kitchen, I could see my new friend waddling side to side, as he left the sofa and moved to the window to take a look at the rain outside. There was not much to complain about. After all, some have to deal with the black dog of depression, and dogs are loyal. Penguins, however, as the informed reader very well knows, are migratory birds. I wait until March.