While Harry Patel pulls weeds from his garden, Shiv, an 8-year-old African gray parrot, keeps him company. Shiv’s favorite time of day is morning, said Patel, who runs the Deluxe Inn on North Frontage Road. The bird speaks English and Gujarati and even says “good morning” to motel guests. Gujarati is the language spoken in Gujarat, a state in western India. (Katie Carter*The Vicksburg Post)