It is a warm sunny day in a tiny village by the mountainside. The charming sight is broken only by the colorful wares being displayed by vendors. Shoppers hustle from vendor to vendor but our focus is on one in particular.

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Vendor: Would you like to purchase an olive tree?

Shopper: I care not for olives. What else have thee?

Vendor: Would you like to purchase a pair of canaries?

Shopper: Canaries, indeed! I would pay more for a bag of peas.

Vendor:  Would you like to purchase a dove? It’s free!

Shopper: I would rather take a partridge in a pear tree!

Vendor: Would you like to purchase a twelve-inch heart?

Shopper: The stuffing will come out. I would rather not.

Vendor: Would you like to purchase a lion that roars?

Shopper: And have it make me crawl around on all fours?

Vendor: Would you like to purchase an ostrich in the sand?

Shopper: They said it wasn’t hiding. I would rather join a band.

Vendor: Would you like to purchase a 65-inch television?

Shopper: Yes! That would produce a wonderful rendition.

Vendor: Are you sure you would not like an eagle for free?

Shopper: It would flap its wings and squawk. Eagles are not for me!

• Ayah Gouda