Mark, an aspiring inventor with a penchant for the unusual, paced the living room. His face wore a mixture of pride and exasperation as he glanced at Einstein, his parrot. The bird sat perched on a stand, its plumage vibrant against the fading light.
"I'm a genius!" squawked Einstein once more, his voice echoing around the room.
"Yes, yes, we know," sighed Mark, shaking his head with a bemused smile.
Lila, a sharp-witted friend with a knack for playful banter, leaned against the kitchen counter. Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she overheard Einstein's repeated claims of genius.
"If you're so smart, Einstein, what's 2 plus 2?" she challenged, her voice carrying over the chatter.
Einstein paused, tilting his head as if deep in thought, before triumphantly squawking, "Five!"
Mark chuckled, shaking his head as he addressed the room. "Well, at least he's confident," he said, a hint of pride in his voice despite the parrot's mathematical mistake.
Lila grinned, raising her glass in a toast. "Here's to confidence, then! Even if the numbers don't add up," she quipped, sparking laughter and camaraderie among the guests.
Mark approached Einstein, who was quietly preening his feathers. "You know, maybe there's more to being a genius than just getting the answers right," he mused softly.
Einstein ruffled his feathers, casting a knowing glance at his owner.
As the last guests bid their farewells, Mark felt a renewed appreciation for his eccentric companion. Perhaps, he thought, there was a lesson to be learned from Einstein’s unwavering confidence—a reminder that intelligence is not just measured by correct answers, but by the courage to believe in oneself.
In the quiet aftermath of the party, Einstein let out one final squawk. "I'm a genius!" he declared with conviction, and Mark couldn't help but smile.
