The other day I heard three birds discussing the state of the world.

‘It will get worse before it gets better,’ said the first bird.

The second bird harumphed. ‘Actually, it will appear better for a time but then continue to get much worse.’

Pausing to look up from scratching around in the dirt, the third bird asked: ‘Do either of you know when the tall man will start putting out sunflower seeds for us again?’