Siblings love to one-up each other—especially when it comes to impressing their parents. But this time, Mom had the last laugh.
Gerard, Howard, and Norman were three successful brothers, each determined to give their 90-year-old mother the most extravagant birthday gift. At dinner, they proudly bragged about their presents.
Gerard smirked. “I built Mom a mansion—ten bedrooms, a library, even an indoor pool.”
Howard chuckled. “That’s cute. I got her a Tesla with a personal chauffeur. She’ll never have to drive again.”
Norman leaned back, grinning. “Amateurs. I sent her a rare brown parrot trained by monks for 12 years. It knows the entire Bible. Just say a verse, and it recites it perfectly.”
A week later, their mother sent thank-you notes.
“Gerard,” she wrote, “the house is beautiful, but I only use one room—and I have to clean the whole thing!”
“Howard,” she continued, “the car is nice, but I hardly go out. And the driver has a temper worse than your father’s.”
“Dearest Norman,” she finished, “you’re the only one who truly understands me. That roast chicken was delicious. But it was kind of small.”
Norman’s jaw dropped. His holy, Bible-reciting bird… had become dinner.
