Once there was a budgie named Tippi. She was like all the other budgies, except for one thing. She always wore a green ribbon around her neck. There was a budgie named Marvin in her cage. Marvin liked Tippi, and Tippi liked Marvin. One day he asked her, “Why do you wear that ribbon all the time?” “I cannot tell you,” said Tippi. But Marvin kept asking, “Why do you wear it?” And Tippi would say, “It is not important.” Tippi and Marvin grew up and fell in love. One day they got married. After their wedding, Marvin said, “Now that we are married, you must tell me about the green ribbon.” “You still must wait,” said Tippi. “I will tell you when the right time comes.” Years passed. Marvin and Tippi grew old. One day Tippi became very sick. The veterinarian told her she was dying. Tippi called Marvin to her side. “Marvin,” she said. “Now I can tell you about the green ribbon. Untie it, and you will see why I could not tell you before.” Slowly and carefully, Marvin untied the ribbon, and Tippi’s head fell off.

(A retell of the retell by Alvin Schwartz)