Narwhal Day

In the timeless words of Professor Farnsworth, "Good news, everyone!" 'Tis Narwhal Day, the most narwhalsome day o' the year! Yes, Narwhal Day, that glorious day when all & sundry reflect on & sympathize with the narwhal, the very oddest of whales, far-famed for its curious "horn" (in actuality a tusk) which in times past was often displayed in cabinets of curiosity (Wunderkammer) as a unicorn's horn. The narwhal is transcendent proof that truth is indeed stranger than fiction.

The Ancient & Proper Observance of Narwhal Day
First, the recitation of "The Oath of Narwhal Day;"
Second, the wearing of gray clothing;
Third, the hearing of "Sympathy for the Narwhal" by D.J. Seaghost, an ally of The Aquabats!

The ancient & proper observance need not be observed in any particular order. The recitation of the oath is an internal act; recite it as a jest or a lark only at your own peril, for a man is only as good as his word; it is in sympathizing with the narwhal that Narwhal Day finds its highest purpose. The wearing of gray is an external act, signally to others one's the sympathy for the narwhal & inviting them to experience the same. The hearing of "Sympathy for the Narwhal" is a communal act, for Narwhal Day is as much a day of celebration as it is as day of sympathizing; the narwhal will frolic & so should we. So should we? So shall we!

The Oath of Narwhal Day
The narwhal is a noble, pitiable creature,
A magnificent, monstrous visage.
An asymmetrical tooth for a horn,
Or sometimes two, or sometimes none,
Half again as long as the beast.

I swear my sympathy for the narwhal.
I will not lie and convince it all is well,
But I will be a friend to the narwhal.
The mocking dolphins and the snobby manatees
Will get their well-earned comeuppance,
And the narwhal will frolic all day.

I dream this dream of the narwhal
And celebrate it in all its oddball, improbable glory,
On this the eighteenth Narwhal Day.


the Narwhal (Monodon Monoceros)—also narwal or narwhale

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' Narwhal Day
D.J. Seaghost, "Sympathy for the Narwhal" from The Aquabats! and Horchata Records Present Rice Capades Music Sampler, Vol. 1 (Captain Thumbs Up)

Commentary: It is "Sympathy for the Narwhal" that opened my eyes, my mind, & my heart to the need to sympathize with the noble narwhal, to marvel at its strangeness, to celebrate its oddball glory. There would be no Narwhal Day without "Sympathy for the Narwhal." D.J. Seaghost is a longstanding ally of The Aquabats! & The Aquabats! are responsible for the release of the Rice Capades compilation sampler; so, in a very real way, as if The Aquabats! had not already given us all so much, especially those of us who are aging Aqua-Cadets, The Aquabats! inspired Narwhal Day.

"Wow!"

The Wayback Machine Tour of Narwhal Day (since '03)
Narwhal Day '17 — Narwhal Day '16 — Narwhal Day '15
Narwhal Day '14 — Narwhal Day '13 — Narwhal Day '12
Narwhal Day '11 — Narwhal Day '10 — Narwhal Day '09
Narwhal Day '08 — Narwhal Day '07a & Narwhal Day '07b — Narwhal Day '06
Narwhal Day '05 — Narwhal Day '04 — Narwhal Day '03

Commentary: Narwhal Day was first observed on 23 May 2001. The Secret Base has been published since February 2002, & the second Narwhal Day was observed on 23 May 2002, yet there was no mention on Narwhal Day on The Secret Base. There is no excuse for the oversight, but I suppose that instead of being frustrated by my younger self's failure to seize the opportunity, I should extend to him the same sympathy I extend to the narwhal.

Sympathetic Narwhal Day, everyone!