Over the course of the day, people from all walks of life, from nobles to servants, were brought in to ask their bird if they could understand Adler. The answer was always the same: No. Adler’s parents grew steadily more anxious with each one and as the list whittled down, the lady grew anxious too.

 

Then, as the last bird, a Sparrow, chirped no, the lady threw down her list in disgust. With eyes of disdain and her lips drawn back in a sneer, she backed away from Adler.

 

“I can’t believe it,” she muttered, “he can’t speak to a single bird. Not even a Sparrow which everyone can speak to.”

 

“What does that mean?” asked Adler’s father anxiously and the lady turned to look at them, her eyes mingled with sorrow and disdain.

 

“Your son is a Non-Speaker,” she replied, “He’s nothing.”