‘I see it is the black cat from the Palace called Berry, if I am not mistaken and I am seldom mistaken! I am pleased to see that you have kept at a respectful distance from me. Provided you do not come any closer I am prepared to talk to you. What wisdom do you seek?’

‘O wise and most knowledgeable bird,’ I began, ‘you have always given me good advice and I am privileged to ask for your help once again. I have heard that my Princess and her husband Prince Tut are making plans to travel to Men-nefer, for what purpose I do not know. I know nothing about Men-nefer and my question is the following. If they take me to Men-nefer, what can I expect to find there?’

The Sacred Ibis pondered my question for a few moments.

‘I know Men-nefer and I have been there myself, many years ago when I was a young bird and still seeking to fill my store of knowledge. It is a very beautiful city with a large Palace within high white walls. The city is built on the eastern bank of the River. It used to be the capital of the land before the Pharaoh who died, the husband of Queen Tia, moved the capital to Thebes. The name “Men-nefer” means the “The Established Beauty” because of its great age. It is a four day voyage from the New City to Men-nefer.

‘You ask what you can expect to see when you get there. Well, first of all it is an old city. You are used to the New City which is bright and clean. The buildings in Men-nefer will appear to be old, dusty and draughty, but they have great charm. Most of the buildings are built from unpainted grey mud bricks. The Palace itself is surrounded by a high white wall, but I flew over the wall and peered inside the building. The chambers will appear to be quite drab to your eyes after the bright fabrics and colourful decorations in the New City.

‘The most important and the most interesting sights are not in Men-nefer itself, but a short distance away, across the River on the western bank. They are the Pyramids, the great pointed stone buildings that were constructed many, many years ago. In front of them is a great sculpture of a lion with a king’s face called the Sphinx. Be sure you see the buildings and the Sphinx, for they are the most amazing structures anywhere in the whole world.’

The Sacred Ibis paused as if he was remembering his visits to Men-nefer. I wondered whether he had any more to say, but he resumed prodding the mud with his beak and I knew our conversation had come to an end. I thanked the wise bird.

‘As always, O wise and knowledgeable bird, your information has been very helpful to me. I bid you good-day, Your Honour.’