Exhalation

Longing to communicate with other lifeforms, humans create Arecibo: “an ear capable of hearing across the universe” (231). The narrator, a parrot, laments that humans don’t want to communicate more with its species, as humans and parrots are both already on earth.

The parrot goes on to explain the Fermi Paradox, “sometimes known as The Great Silence” (232). The Femi Paradox states that while the universe is old enough for a technological species to have journeyed across the galaxy, humans still haven’t found signs of life outside of Earth. Rather being loud and full of life, the universe is quiet, seemingly empty.

One hypothesis offers that intelligent life might be hiding from hostile invaders. The parrot believes this to be wise, as parrots themselves have “been driven nearly to extinction by humans” (231). Another explanation is “that intelligent species go instinct before they can expand into outer space” (231). The parrot is also understanding of this hypothesis, seeing as its species is facing extinction on earth. Mournfully, the parrot states, “Soon this rain forest may be as silent as the rest of the universe” (232).

The parrot then tells the story of Alex, an African gray parrot, who Irene Pepperberg studied for 30 years. Irene showed that “not only did Alex know the words for shapes and colors, he actually understood the concepts of shape and color” (232), proving parrots’ cognitive abilities. Unfortunately, Alex died prematurely, his last words to Irene being, “You be good. I love you.” (232). Again, the parrot wonders why human beings are looking to the stars to connect with other lifeforms when other animals on earth already offer so much.

The parrot continues to mourn the premature extinction of its species. Not only will parrots be gone, but so will their myths, their language, and traditions. The parrot is not angry with humans, however, reasoning “[Humans] just weren’t paying attention” (235). Before the parrots are gone forever, the narrator informs the reader its species is “sending a message to humanity” (236), hoping Arecibo will pick it up. The story ends with the parrot stating, “The message is this: You be good. I love you” (236).