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?

• better head back to the chick at the falls.
• ask if there's any other way. it'd be kinda embarrassing to go back