Jim Baker's Blue-Jay Yarn

The given story is one of Mark Twain's most famous short stories. It was adapted from a campfire story told by Jim Gillis while Twain and Gillis were prospecting for gold during the winter of 1864-65. Jim Baker, a miner, lived a solitary life in the woods and mountains of California, where he observed the animals and birds around him so closely that he believed he could understand their language. He claimed that animals not only communicated but had distinct dialects. Among all the creatures, Jim found blue jays to be the best talkers. An extraordinary incident convinced him that blue jays were outstanding speakers, capable of humor and reasoning. What might this remarkable event have been? Do you also believe animals and birds possess such intelligence and unique ways of communicating? Why do you think blue jays stood out to Jim as the best talkers among all the animals? Read this interesting tale to learn about the wood life.