The Magnijicrab, Indeed
It is spring, and the Tortoise and Achilles are taking a Sunday promenade
in the woods together. They have decided to climb a hill at the top of which,
it is said, there is a wonderful teahouse, with all sorts of delicious pastries.Achilles: Man oh man! If a crab-
Tortoise: If a crab??
Achilles: I was about to say, if a crab ever were intelligent, then surely it
would be our mutual friend the Crab. Why, he must be at least two
times as smart as any crab alive. Or maybe even three times as smart as
any crab alive. Or perhaps-
Tortoise: My soul! How you magnify the Crab!
Achilles: Well, I just happen to be an admirer of his ...
Tortoise: No need to apologize. I admire him, too. Speaking of Crab-
admirers, did I tell you about the curious fan letter which the Crab
received not too long ago?
Achilles: I don't believe so. Who sent it?
Tortoise: It bore a postmark from India, and was from someone neither of
us had ever heard of before-a Mr. Najunamar, I believe.
Achilles: I wonder why someone who never knew Mr. Crab would send
him a letter-or for that matter, how they would get his address.
Tortoise: Apparently whoever it was was under the illusion that the Crab is
a mathematician. It contained numerous results, all of which were-
But, hoI Speak of the devil! Here comes Mr. Crab now, down the hill.
Crab: Good-bye! It was nice to talk with you again. Well, I guess I had best
be off. But I'm utterly stuffed-couldn't eat one more bite if I h'ad to!
I've just been up there myself-recommend it highly. Have you ever
been to the teahouse at the crest of the hill? How are you, Achilles? Oh,
there's Achilles. Hello, hello. Well, well, if it isn't Mr. T!
Tortoise: Hello, Mr. C. Are you headed up to the hilltop teahouse?
Crab: Why, yes indeed, I am; how did you guess it? I'm quite looking
forward to some of their special napoleons-scrumptious little mor-
sels. I'm so hungry I could eat a frog. Oh, there's Achilles. How are
you, Achilles?
Achilles: Could be worse, I suppose.
Crab: Wonderful! Well, don't let me interrupt your discussion. I'lljust tag
along.
Tortoise: Curiously enough, I was just about to describe your mysterious
letter from that Indian fellow a few weeks back-but now that you're
here, I'll let Achilles get the story from the Crab's mouth.
The Magnificrab, Indeed 549