Page 30 - SB-Polly Perfect

Although neither child in our example won the contest, which got the most enjoyment out of it? Which is more likely to enter the contest next year? Which child is likely to improve their cake making skills? Both put out their best effort but one insisted, “Everything should go my way and I should always get what I want.” This typical childhood belief is a recipe for frustration and failure.
In our story, Cosmos Crow goes to South America on vacation. While visiting relatives, he is introduced to a neighboring flock of parrots. These parrots are identical in appearance (green), except for one that has a blue stripe on her wing. Cosmos’ cousin tells him that the parrot with the colorful wing is Polly... they call her Polly Perfect.
When Cosmos asks about her nickname, they explain, “everything has to he her way, no exceptions.” As in most of the Coping Skills stories, these typically human characteristics when seen in other animals always causes Cosmos confusion and concern. “Is it their (parrots) custom to demand that everything be perfect?”
Just as in our real human world, this behavior is not universal and is often discouraged. But Cosmos got to witness how foolish Polly could act during the annual Green Parrot Festival.
In the parrot’s festival, there are various contests, beginning with the “Best Nest Contest.” Polly put a great deal of effort in her nest, with its flower adornments. But she finished second and was furious. She criticized the judges and was able to blame her failure to win on another parrot who had helped her with the flowers Polly had used to decorate the nest. “Sure, take these ugly, half dead flowers, they are the reason I did not win. I don’t know why I trusted you to get the flowers, you never do anything right.” Failure to be perfect is more tolerable... if you have someone else to blame. You have seen others; adults as well as children blame others rather than accept the reality of a situation.
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