THE ADVANTAGE OF A MAGICAL GIFT

In popular folktales, magical items galore crop up: subjugating potions, cloaks of invisibilty, magic wands, hens and geese that lay eggs of gold... The list is endless!

In the Edwardian era, U.S. comedian/poet Guy Whetmore Carryl wrote parodies in verse of both renowned and obscure fairy tales. My favourite part, in particular, is this little excerpt:

Every tongue he could readily speak:

French, German, Italian, Greek,

Norwegian, Bulgarian,

Turkish, Bavarian,

Japanese, Hindustanee,

Russian and Mexican!

He was a lexicon,

Such as you seldom will see.

His knowledge linguistic gave Ollendorff fits,

And brought a hot flush to the face of Berlitz!

Yes, "Berlitz" as in the famous phrasebook series!

And yes, the gift of languages exists in real life, and it has brought me out of many a predicament...