Dottie, a Dove With a Pearl Earring Mug

Dottie has a secret: she’s not really a dove. Her name’s Paula, and she’s actually a common pigeon from the east side of town. Ever since she could remember, people would say “You’re such a beautiful dove.” The first few times she heard it, it infuriated her. “I’m not a dove. I’m a pigeon,” she would retort. Those who mistakenly called her a dove would smile sheepishly and apologize. But they wouldn’t remember. Eventually, she stopped correcting them when they called her a dove, and instead she would simply say, “Thank you.” One day Paula went to the mall with her best friend, Henrietta Hummingbird. A meerkat approached her. “What a pretty dove you are. Ever think of doing any modeling?” he said and gave her his card. “Fancy-Pants Mod...