Brief reflection on accuracy

By Miroslav Holub

Fish
   always accurately know where to move and when,
   and likewise
   birds have an accurate built-in time sense
   and orientation.

Humanity, however,
   lacking such instincts resorts to scientific
   research. Its nature is illustrated by the following
   occurrence.

A certain soldier
   had to fire a cannon at six o’clock sharp every evening.
   Being a soldier he did so. When his accuracy was
   investigated he explained:

I go by
   the absolutely accurate chronometer in the window
   of the clockmaker down in the city. Every day at seventeen
   forty-five I set my watch by it and
   climb the hill where my cannon stands ready.
   At seventeen fifty-nine precisely I step up to the cannon
   and at eighteen hours sharp I fire.

And it was clear
   that this method of firing was absolutely accurate.
   All that was left was to check that chronometer. So
   the clockmaker down in the city was questioned about
   his instrument’s accuracy.

Oh, said the clockmaker,
   this is one of the most accurate instruments ever. Just imagine,
   for many years now a cannon has been fired at six o’clock sharp.
   And every day I look at this chronometer
   and always it shows exactly six.

Chronometers tick and cannon boom.

[ Πηγή: Poetry Foundation ]