I Kill the Mockingbird by Paul Acampora Page B

was making a joke because real mockingbirds are territorial and aggressive. They’ll peck an intruder to death if it gets too close to their nest. And as far as singing their hearts out, they do that by stealingother birds’ songs.”
    “If that’s the case, then there are a lot of characters in that novel who act like real mockingbirds,” says Michael.
    “But in the book,” I say, “the mockingbird is supposed to be a symbol of innocence. That’s why it’s a sin to kill one.”
    “Who says it’s a symbol of innocence?” asks Mort.
    “Teachers,” I tell him. “Book reviewers, critics—”
    “Wikipedia,” Elena calls from behindthe display window.
    “Everybody,” I say.
    “Maybe everybody is wrong,” says Michael.
    “They’re not wrong,” says Mort.
    Elena steps out of the display window and joins us in the shop. She turns to her uncle. “You said that mockingbirds are mean, selfish, hostile, thieving liars. Now you’re saying they’re not. Which is it?”
    “Mockingbirds are creatures without a sense of right and wrong,” Mort says.“That makes them innocent. They also behave exactly the way they were raised to behave. That means they are thieving, selfish, hostile liars. They can be innocent and wicked at the same time.”
    “That’s not a joke,” says Michael.
    “Michael,” says Mort, “contradiction and paradox are the building blocks of great humor.”
    “So is the mockingbird a symbol of innocence or not?” asks Elena.
    Mort rollshis eyes. “Forget about symbols. To Kill a Mockingbird is not about symbols. It’s about people.”
    “It’s about selfish, hostile, thieving liars who might be innocents,” says Elena.
    Mort nods. “That’s what Mr. Nowak would say.”
    “I think it’s a story about growing up,” I say, “and leaving things behind.”
    “It’s about a lot of things,” says Mort. “Mr. Nowak thought it should have been titled HOWto Kill a Mockingbird.”
    “I like that,” says Elena.
    “The book’s original title was Atticus ,” he adds.
    “I don’t like that,” says Elena.
    “Harper Lee changed it at the last minute.”
    Elena shrugs. “Better late than never.”
    Mort glances at an ancient grandfather clock he’s got propped in the corner. “Speaking of late, it’s five minutes past lunchtime. You three watch the store while I go makeus some sandwiches.” He turns away then trots upstairs.
    While we’re waiting, I retrieve the mockingbird drawing from my back pocket and spread it out on the counter so that Elena and Michael can see. “What do you think?” I ask.
    “That’s excellent,” says Michael.
    “You really think so?”
    He nods. “I do.”
    Elena stands behind him and makes kissy faces at me.
    “Shut up,” I say.
    “What?” says Michael.

    “Not you.”
    He turns to face Elena.
    She gives him an innocent look. “I want to borrow Lucy’s drawing for a second.”
    “Fine,” I say.
    She takes the sketch and brings it to the desktop copier near Mort’s computer. She hits a button, and now there are two drawings. She gives the original back to me then takes a thick, black marker. “What if we do this?” she asks. Slowly and carefully, Elena drawsa set of rings around the copy of my mockingbird. Now it looks like the bird is sitting at the center of a target. At the top of the page, Elena writes, HOW TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Below the mockingbird’s feet, she prints WWW.KILLaMOCKINGBIRD.com, then she pushes the paper back toward Michael and me. “There.”
    We both study the little poster. I take the marker. “May I?” I ask.
    “Of course,” saysElena.
    When I’m done, the sign says, I KILL THE MOCKINGBIRD, and the web address is www.iKILLtheMOCKINGBIRD.com.
    Elena grins. “You’re right. That’s better.”
    “I kill the mockingbird?” Michael finally says.
    “It’s the name of our conspiracy,” I tell him.
    “All good conspiracies need a name,” adds Elena.
    “Is that so?” he asks.
    “Area 51?” says