Talk to the tree

My fairy tale came true when I finally met Daisy, the talking tree in David Jones @ Bourke Street.
Stepping into the Magic Cave in David Jones, the talking tree was the last to catch my notice. But after seeing how Daisy managed to strike one conversation after another, I have to admit she probably held my attention for the longest period of time. Seriously, I could stay here the whole day listening to Daisy and her interesting conversations with the children.

Conversation 1: The shy one
Daisy: Hello
Child: Hello
Daisy: What's your name?
Child: <speechless>... and he runs off

Conversation 2: The sing-a-long one
Child: Hello
Daisy: Hello, have you met Santa?
Child: Yes
Child starts singing: Jingle Bell Jingle Bell Jingle all the way
Daisy sings along with child

Conversation 3: The one that call Daisy Santa Claus
Child: Hi Santa
Daisy: I'm not Santa
Child: Sorry I call you Santa wrongly
Daisy: It's ok. I don't look like Santa do I?
Child: No you are a talking tree.

Conversation 4: The sceptic
Dad tells Child this is a talking tree.
Child: Hello
Daisy: Hello
Child turns to Dad and say: This is all pretense.
Dad shockingly replies: No it isn't...
but  Child has walked away. Somehow Dad still retain the child-like belief of a talking tree but Child has 'matured' up and find it silly

Conversation 5: Secretive Daisy
Daisy asks child how old is she?
Child replies
Dad asks Daisy how old is she?
Daisy: It's a secret *in a coyly tone*

Conversation 6: Clever Daisy
Daisy: Do you like to sing?
Child: Yes
Daisy: Do you want to sing Jingle Bells
Child: err
Daisy starts singing one line of Jingle Bell Jingle Bell Jingle all the way
Child: *remains quiet*
Daisy: You don't wish to sing?
Child: Yes
Daisy: It's alright then

Conversation 7: Naughty Daisy
Child stands in front of Daisy
Daisy: Boo!

And the conversation continues...
I am very impressed by the Artificial Intelligence in-built in Daisy because it clearly shows she can ask questions, reacts and responds. Although sometimes she remains silent when there were more than one child talking because she cannot process in the end as it was too noisy. And sometimes, as what a mother commented, the child must stand in front of Daisy for her to see. But when she can see and hear you, she can really give some wacky response.


The only shortcoming: there was no signage to say talk to the tree, or sing to the tree.  And thus, many parents actually just walked past Daisy, mistaking her as another decorative piece in the Magic Cove.