Monday, August 12, 2019
Thanks Ralph 134, Life is Porpoise edition
The 1962 Hix book has an article on Pelorus Jack, a porpoise who decided on his own purpose.
Better detail from a Wikipedia article. Pelorus Jack guided ships through a tricky passage in the harbor of Wellington NZ from 1888 to 1912. When a ship approached the passage, he bobbed up and down several times to announce his presence, then led the ship through the strait. After the hard part, he dropped back and rubbed against the ship ("You're okay now."), then returned to the starting point to await the next ship.
In 1904 an idiot on one ship shot Pelorus Jack and injured him. He survived, but he never guided that ship again. The ship later crashed on the rocks in the strait and sank. Thanks Ralph!
LIFE IS PORPOISE.
Labels: Emersonian justice
¶ 1:32 AM
