Three sons left home and each prospered. When they got back together, they boasted about the gifts they were able to buy their elderly Mother.

The first said, "I sent her a Mercedes with a chauffer. Beat that"

The second said, "I built a big house for mother. Beat that"

The third son smiled and said, "I've got you both beat. You know how mother always enjoyed reading the Bible? And you know she can't see very well any more. I sent her an amazing large parrot that recites the entire Bible. It took priests 12 years to teach him. All mother has to do is name the chapter and verse, and the parrot recites it."

Soon after, their mother sent her letters of thanks: To he first son she wrote, "I'm too old to travel any more so I stay at home most of the time. I rarely use the Mercedes and the chauffer is very rude!"

To her second son she wrote, "The house you built is Really too big for me. Although I live in only one room, I have to clean the whole house."

To her last son she wrote, "You've got the good sense to know what your mother likes. The chicken was delicious!"