Short Ballad of Indifferent Performers
The sensitivity of a turtle’s ear falls off rapidly beyond 1000 cycles, thus making it impossible for it to hear the highest note of a soprano, flute, violin, or piccolo, according to Princeton University scientists.
BY STUART HEMSLEY
The flautist and the piccolo
Strove with all their might
To reach the very highest note,
And strove to hit it right;
As also the soprano did.
None of them hit it, quite.
Strove with all their might
To reach the very highest note,
And strove to hit it right;
As also the soprano did.
None of them hit it, quite.
The turtle listened, all enthralled.
I thought it passing strange —
Till I recalled that he had but
A modest hearing range.
I turned to him and, hopefully,
Proposed a little change.
I thought it passing strange —
Till I recalled that he had but
A modest hearing range.
I turned to him and, hopefully,
Proposed a little change.
“Lend me your ears,” I slyly said
(A phrase I learned in school);
“And I will pledge you mine,” I said.
His look was crafty-cool:
“Do you suppose,” the turtle said,
“That I’m a ruddy fool?”
(A phrase I learned in school);
“And I will pledge you mine,” I said.
His look was crafty-cool:
“Do you suppose,” the turtle said,
“That I’m a ruddy fool?”