Mamma put Sparrow's lunchbox into her schoolbag and folded her wings around her. "Have a good day, darling," she said. "Pay attention, be polite..."

"Uff Mamma!" laughed Sparrow. "You say the same thing every day!"

"And remember," said Mamma. "Stay away from Snake - he's different."

Sparrow wished Mamma hadn't said that. Snake was her best friend. But Mamma did not approve of Snake.

"His people eat our people!" she always said. "Sparrows and snakes can never be friends."

On the other side of town, Snake's Pappa was packing his lunchbox with birds' eggs. "Today's special, son!" he said proudly.

"But I hate eggs, Pappa," groaned Snake.

"We've always eaten them in this family!" said Pappa sternly. "Now off you go. And remember, stay away from Sparrow!"

Snake slithered away, feeling angry.

"Sparrows are different," Pappa called after him. "You can't be friends with your food!"

When Snake met Sparrow at school, they knew.

"Your Mamma said...?" asked Snake. Sparrow nodded. "Your Pappa too?" Snake nodded.

"Our parents are wrong, Sparrow," said Snake. "Let's show them that we are more same-same than different." Jwol1IzE1Mq7wwuwAn1IcfZ/KW0ZOpf/t/LXYihHCLaadaxm732eilp5nmSaSkjG