Told by the Colonel

"Told by the Colonel" by W. L. (William Livingston) Alden is a compilation of funny short stories from the late 1800s, told by the Colonel, who recounts comical stories and thoughts on life, showing odd people and ridiculous scenarios. The main ideas often involve human silliness, social views, and the funny parts of daily life. The book starts with the Colonel in a Paris hotel, among loud Americans talking about their trips in the city. At first, the Colonel is silent, but he gets noticed when he asks for an owl, which leads him to tell the story of his daughter's parrot. This noisy parrot, who doesn't care about anyone else, becomes the center of a funny story that shows the Colonel's clever humor and talent for storytelling. The beginning sets the scene for the stories to come, hinting at the blend of humor and criticism that shapes the Colonel's views throughout the collection.