"A little bird told me, " is a very common expression. People often say, “A little bird told me” when they do not wish to divulge the source of the information. It is also used by some Smart Alecs who wish to give the impression that they know everything about everything.
I heard somebody say it just the other day. It reminded me of an incident that occurred when our eldest daughter, Jane, was attending Kindergarten. Jane had become friends with another young girl, named Shirley. When I arrived home after work, Jane would usually be riding her tricycle around the paved area of our large back yard. I would ask her questions about her day at Kindy, in what I thought were great Father-Daughter bonding occasions.
One afternoon when I arrived home, my wife told me that Jane was very upset. Taryn had had an accident at Kindy and her mother had to be called to come and take her home. I walked out into the back yard and said, ‘Oh, Jane, I am so sorry that Taryn was hurt at Kindy. I am sure her mother is caring for her and she will be back tomorrow”
Jane stopped pedalling her tricycle. She looked up at
me. Puzzled.
“How did you know Taryn was hurt?” she questioned.
“Oh, a little bird told me,” I said, with that patronising smug tone that adults often adopt with children when trying to impress them with their omnipotent adult knowledge of the Universe. Jane looked at me for a few seconds and then started pedalling once again.
When I arrived home the next afternoon, my wife told me that Jane had had a good day at Kindy and that Taryn had come back, as right as rain, after her accident.
I walked out into the backyard. Jane was pedalling in a wide circle on the paved area. Wanting to give her every opportunity to be in charge of the conversation, I said, “Hello, Jane. Was your friend Taryn at Kindy today?
Without stopping Jane looked up at me and said, “Ask the little bird, why don’t you!’
