Why Morse?

If it had been found on the shores of the Nile, the Egyptians would most certainly have created a god in its likeness, one far more terrifying than Sobek, the crocodile god. As it is, no trace of this animal may be found in any pantheon. Of course, the Inuits consumed its flesh, tanned its skin, and sculpted splendid works from its ivory tusks. Ivory that has traditionally been used to make piano keys (among other things).

Morse is also, of course, a code invented by Samuel Morse in 1844. This code died out definitively only in 1999. Tintin used it a great deal in his many adventures.

In the bountiful English detective novel literature, there is a Chief Inspector named Endeavour Morse, a poet who deserves the best of luck in all his undertakings.

Morse—Odobenus rosmanus, 3.60 metres, 1900 kilograms, of the Odobenides family. “Those that walk on their teeth.” What a fitting analogy for the cultural scene! His mustache is made up of some 450 sensory erectile tissues endowed with an eminently artistic sensibility.

This animal makes mooing and growling noises that can sometimes be heard more than 1.5 kilometres away… We might invite one perhaps someday for one of our concerts. According to Walter, striking its tusks would produce a perfect A 440…

“The Walrus and the Carpenter” comes to mind, the famous poem that Twedledee and Twedledum recited to poor Alice, simply because it was the longest poem they knew… and which begins “The Sun was shining on the sea… and it was odd because it was the middle of the night”! We might also recall that memorable Beatles tune “I Am the Walrus”… A Goo goo goo djoo!

But let’s be serious. Why Morse? Because it stirs up conversation, makes people laugh, and in the end, gets attention. Let’s not forget how often these magnificent and warlike mammals have cast their seemingly blasé gaze over the aurora borealis! Lucky them.