Thank him politely.
From Create Your Own Story
You bow (don't be a prick.) and say, "Thank you, great father owl, for your kind words regarding my tunic. Prithee, dost thou know how a weary traveler may escape this enchanted wood?"
...you ass.
The owl responds:
"There's a girl by the waterfall of Arden Wood, named Pandora. She can escort you out of here, you must follow her."
See? The owl talks like a normal person. Bet you feel like a dick, huh? So, what do you do?