A story from thirteenth-century Persian poet Rumi is given visually distinctive treatment in this telling from an Iranian author/illustrator. A merchant is given a parrot as a gift and puts him in a cage. The parrot is miserable, but the merchant loves him too much to let him go. It is only when his beloved bird pretends to be dead — a trick he learns from his parrot friends — that the devastated merchant opens the cage. The parrot flies away, explaining to the merchant that he cannot be happy as a caged bird. The merchant understands, and offers the parrot his garden. “A few days later the parrot came back to the merchant’s garden with his good friend. And the merchant was happy to have the company of two beautiful parrots occasionally.” Rashin’s illustrations have saturated reds and greens and yellows balanced by more modest golds and tans. Repeated motifs and elements of visual humor lend a folkloric feel to this richly embellished story. (Ages 5–8)

Rashin Kheiriyeh, 2014 IBBY Award winner and Iranian-American artist, makes Rumi's classical story of a parrot wishing to be free fly off the page!

A plucky parrot living in the home of a wealthy merchant appears to have everything: the love of his owner, the best food, and a golden cage. But despite all this, the parrot is sad. The merchant will do anything to make his parrot happy! But will he be willing to set his beloved pet free?

Rashin Kheiriyeh’s colorful and lively illustrations bring a fresh and distinctive perspective to this thoughtful classic about what is most important in life.