A Budgie's Tongue

London, England - October 2017

A mother was on a Sunday bike ride with her two young daughters, the younger on the back of her tandem bicycle and the older on her own bike in tow. They noticed the drawing and slowed down to investigate.
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“What is that?” asked the older daughter.
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“Ah it’s a clitoris! The whole thing! Look girls! Isn’t it pretty?” She turns to us to ask, “Can I take a picture?”
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“Of course!” we replied as she shuffled for her phone.
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“But what is a clitoris?” the confused younger daughter asked.
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As the mother balanced on the bike and searched for the perfect angle for her picture, she responded over her shoulder, “The clitoris is a part of the female anatomy - an awesome part of your body!”
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After they wished us a beautiful rest of the day and continued their ride, we smiled at each other and reflected on the touching interaction.

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“Budgie” is a nickname for a species of parakeet, the budgerigar. A “budgie’s tongue” is British slang for clitoris. Like “bean” and “pea,” it’s a phrase used for the clitoris that only acknowledges the external part, the glans.