The Parrot Who Refused To Eat Crackers

Deep in the rainforest, a parrot sat perched in his tree,
His beautiful colors were amazing to see.

His name was Patch, and he always had a lot to say,
He wouldn’t stop talking. He cheerfully spoke night and day.

Early in the morning while there was still a soft warm mist,
A chimpanzee swung to him, while holding a vine with his fist.

His name was Barney Bananas, named after his favorite food.
Eating the soft yellow fruit always put him in a good mood.

Barney had just taken some crackers from an explorer’s backpack,
He asked Patch, “Can I offer you these crunchy crackers as a snack?”

Patch replied to Barney, “Thanks, but I must humbly decline.”
So Barney swung off on his long green vine.

Shortly after, Patch started to sing a happy song,
The beautiful sound attracted a snake that was very long.

Her name was Annie Anaconda, and she hissed as she spoke,
She had some extra crackers she was given as a joke.

Everybody knows what slitherly snakes eat,
Annie eating crackers was as likely as her growing feet.

She anxiously hissed, “Would you like some crackers dear bird?”
But once again Patch refused, exclaiming, “That is absolutely absurd!”

The snake slithered off just as she had arrived,
Then out of the brush, a jaguar dived.

Jimmy Jaguar was this critter’s name,
His lightning quick speed had given him much fame.

The swift jaguar circled  Patch while flashing a sly grin,
Patch politely reminded Jimmy, “Eating me would be a sin!”

Jimmy briskly corrected Patch telling him, “Silly bird! That’s not why I’m here.
Some chimpanzee had dropped crackers on my head while swinging through the air.”

He explained to Patch, “Jaguars don’t eat these.
I will give you these crackers if to you it will please.”

Patch spoke in a demanding voice to the curious jungle cat,
“Buzz off Jimmy! Take your crackers and scat!”

Jimmy Jaguar crawled back into the waving brush,
And suddenly a little girl appeared, startling Patch and making him blush.

She approached with a giggle and a sparkle in her eyes,
To Patch, her admiration was a welcome surprise.

The little lady had a question she was about to speak,
But Patch had an idea in his mind that started to peak.

He hushed the young misses and made a statement of his own,
“Little girl, you’d better not offer me crackers or I’ll groan.”

With a bright smile, she exclaimed “That’s not why I am here!
I want to know why you won’t eat the crackers the other animals wanted to share.”

Patch cackled for a moment, then he carefully gave his reason,
Explaining, “God gives me tasty food throughout the rainforest every season.”

“He gives me the juiciest berries and the tastiest seeds”,
Further exclaiming, “The Lord above fulfills all of my needs!”

“You see child, crackers are fine but in the rainforest there is a different way.
We animals praise the Lord in how we eat and play.”

“He provides for us, and we provide Him with glorious praise.
He loves us, and we love Him all of our days.”

“I’m sure crackers taste lovely, but I will never eat one.
It may seem silly, but for me this is how I thank the Lord for what He has done.”

The girl smiled brightly, and without a sound she disappeared into the green,
As the forest wall closed, she could no longer be seen.

She arrived at her camp to find her father wondering were his crackers went,
The ones the chimpanzee stole while he was sleeping in his tent.

Grinning at her dad, she said, “You don’t need crackers; come with me.
Let’s go hiking together through the forest. It’s filled with food and it’s all free.”

“I learned today that God has a very special way.
He will supply all of our needs each day.”

“We don’t need to stress or worry at all,
Just look up to God and the blessings will fall.”

Together the pair wandered through the rainforest’s beauty,
And our Amazing God blessed the fine parrot for doing his duty.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Questions:

What are some ways you praise God each day?

What are two things God has provided for you in the past week?