Superb Lyre Birds: Larry & Bebe's Romance

Larry Belafonte was his name. His wife's name was Bebe Belafonte. They had been together for a long time (they were both Superb Lyre Birds) and their relationship, like many long-term relationships, had gone... stale. So one day, when the sky was clear, the moon was full, and the breeze soft and cool, Bebe, who was feeling romantic, asked Larry to sing to her.

"You're the best singer out there, Larry," Bebe said. "You haven't wooed me since we met."

"I'm not in the mood," Larry said, gruffly.

"Mimic a kookaburra. Mimic a mockingbird. Mimic something sweet. You can do it, Larry."

"I said - I'm not in the mood."

"I remember how you cleaned the bower the first day we met. How you threw away twigs and sticks and how you sang. I remember watching you from behind the trees."

"Well," Larry said, clearing his throat and hopping on to the bower. "A photographer came to the forest a few days ago with a camera mounted on a tripod and this was what I heard." Larry spread his tail over his head and mimicked the sound of a camera clicking. "WHIRRR. CLICK. CLICK. WHIRRR. CLICK. CLICK. WHIRRR."

"No," Bebe said. "Cameras clicking does nothing for me. I'm not a model, Larry."

"I heard trucks a few days ago, filled with men with chainsaws coming deep into the forest." Larry took in a deep breath and mimicked the chainsaws. "CRRRRRR. CRRRRRR. CRRASSH!"

"Larry." Bebe sighed. "That was horrible. The chainsaws are awful. It's depressing me."

"It was a perfect impression."

"It makes me ANXIOUS! They are cutting trees! Why would I like the sound of trees falling?"

"Okay. Let me think. Yes. You'll love this one. I just heard it a few days ago. They are building houses right near the forest. Listen." And Larry let loose his best impression: A car alarm this time. Loud and clear and fierce and blazing. On and on and on and on and on and on.

"OH, FOR GOD'S SAKE!" Bebe said, stamping her foot. "STOP IT, Larry! STOP!"

"This is why I don't try to be romantic anymore!" Larry yelled back. "I'm off to find berries."

And therefore, miffed at their lack of romance, Larry and Bebe did the most romantic thing a couple could do. They sat close to each other, ate berries, and watched the moon.