October 27. “I fell asleep last night. I’m so sorry.”

“You must have been tired. Or was it the rice you ate?”

“Both, I presume. Did you have something to tell me?”

“I did but I have some other news for you.”

“Tell me.”

“Remember Paul, the oracle octopus, who predicted the winner of this year’s world cup?”

“I remember clearly. I also remember how he predicted the winner of all seven of Germany’s games.”

“Paul died yesterday of natural causes at the ripe old age of 2.”

“Does that mean that an octopus lives up to 2 years of age only?”

“That’s what it seems like. But it’s sad. After becoming a celebrity, Paul had gone back to entertaining children at a zoo in Germany.”

“Ideally, Paul should have been returned to his natural habitat to spend his last few days. He must have hated being cooped up in an aquarium.”

“Do you think Paul could have died of loneliness and depression?”

“Possible.”