A third-person narrator describes the aftermath of an encounter between Hortencia de la Cruz, “an imposing, beautiful woman” (58), and a parrot. Hovering over the events is Hortencia’s husband Felipe, a failed writer.

Hortencia had wanted to be an actress, but her parents, Havana aristocrats, forbade it. To spite them, Hortencia married Felipe, who had neither money nor education. Her family supported the couple until they resettled in Miami after the revolution, where they now live humbly and loveless, never having children.

Just before Hortencia’s 60th birthday, a parrot flies into their house. Hortencia, who has spent the day reclining in her lounger, complains that parrots carry diseases and demands that Felipe chase it away. He protests that the bird is harmless, but Hortencia insists. The bird stares at her; Felipe thinks it wants to tell them something. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to chase it out, Hortencia collapses on the floor and begins weeping. The bird leaves.

For three nights, Hortencia is unable to sleep. During the day, the world seems brighter and filled with possibility. On the fourth night, she falls into an unsettled sleep and wakes as if from a nightmare. She hears Felipe on his typewriter in the kitchen and rushes out to confront him, saying she will never forgive him for chasing the bird away.