Setting:
A quiet park in Surrey on a crisp Saturday morning. Birds are chirping, and autumn leaves crunch underfoot. Two friends, Emma and Tom, are walking their dogs — Daisy and Rufus.
Emma: (suddenly stopping)
Oh, there’s one! Good morning, Mr. Magpie! How’s your wife today?
Tom: (raising an eyebrow)
You’ve actually just greeted a bird. Should I be worried?
Emma: (defensively)
Don’t mock, Tom! It’s bad luck if you don’t say it. You’re supposed to acknowledge a magpie to avoid misfortune. My gran swore by it.
Tom:
And how exactly does talking to a magpie change your luck? Do they have some secret deal with the universe?
Emma: (laughing)
Maybe they do! It’s an old British thing — one for sorrow, two for joy, remember? If you see just one, you’ve got to greet it politely, otherwise something unlucky might happen.
Tom:
I know the rhyme, but come on, Emma. That’s medieval logic. You’re basically trying to sweet-talk a bird into not cursing you.
Emma:
You say that, but the one time I didn’t say it, I tripped over the kerb five minutes later and smashed my phone screen. Coincidence? I think not.
Tom: (grinning)
Oh, so the magpie decided, “Right, Emma didn’t say hello — I’ll just nudge gravity a bit”?
Emma: (shrugging)
Laugh all you like, but some things are better safe than sorry. It costs nothing to say “Good morning, Mr. Magpie.”
Tom:
Except your dignity.
Emma:
Please, I’d rather risk embarrassment than a string of bad luck. My mum does it, my nan did it, and they both swear it works.
Tom:
So by that logic, if I start greeting pigeons, will I win the lottery?
Emma:
No, pigeons don’t count! It’s magpies — they’re clever birds, tricksters even. There’s something about them that’s… different.
Tom:
Exactly. They’re clever. Scientists have shown magpies are one of the few animals that can recognise themselves in a mirror. That’s intelligence — not mysticism.
Emma:
Fine, Mr. Scientist, but clever or not, you don’t mess with tradition. You can’t argue with centuries of people doing the same thing.
Tom:
You absolutely can! People once believed garlic kept away vampires too — doesn’t mean it works.
Emma: (smiling)
Maybe it does, and that’s why you’ve never seen a vampire.
Tom: (laughing)
Touché. But seriously, superstitions stick around because they make people feel in control. Saying that little phrase to a magpie probably just eases your mind.
Emma:
What’s wrong with that? If it gives me a bit of comfort, what’s the harm?
Tom:
None at all. Just don’t start bowing to every crow we see.
Emma:
Deal. But when your car breaks down next time, don’t come crying to me for magpie protection.
Tom:
Fine. But if you ever win the lottery after greeting one, I’ll start saluting them too — top hat and all.
Emma: (grinning)
You’ll see. The magpies will reward me for my manners, and you’ll regret your cynicism.
Tom:
If that happens, I’ll personally write them a thank-you letter. Signed, “Your faithful human servant.”
Emma: (laughing as they walk on)
Don’t forget to include, “Good morning, Mr. Magpie.”
End Scene
Science Vs Superstition 
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