The year was 1961. In the small town of Antijemimish, Nova Scotia, lived a farmer by the name of 'Ferdie Berfler'. He had a tremendous fondness for his prized pet goose, 'Gertie'. She was a tad undersized (and peckish) but it was part of what endeared her to Ferdie. He would proudly take her with him everywhere he went and onlookers would gaze with glee as Gertie perched on his shoulder and pecked at his head (where his hair used to be). Ferdie would play his hurdy gurdy while Gertie strutted for the crowd. Now some of you may think there is a 'Ferdie N' Gertie hurdy gurdy' joke coming but, NO, you'd be wrong!

 

              One day, Ferdie took his goose to the Air Show. Gertie, hoping for a closer look, flew up into the sky and got sucked in by a jet engine turbine (did you know that a jet engine turbine is far more efficient at food processing than your run of the mill Cuisinart?).  The crowd was stunned (for about 10 seconds). Ferdie was devastated by his sudden and tragic loss.

 

              A couple of her feathers landed nearby and a strange chap picked them up and approached Ferdie. He introduced himself as a geneticist and told Ferdie that he believed he could clone Gertie with the DNA from her feathers. At first, Ferdie was in shock and inconsolable but, although he thought the man's claim was ridiculous, he politely gave him the go ahead to try.

 

              After several months of experimentation the miracle happened! The geneticist returned to the farm with the cutest little healthy gosling in his arms. She was identical to Gertie in every way. While she began strutting about Ferdie's yard, Ferdie was overjoyed by the sight. He just could not believe it was all true. He felt most fortunate and grateful.

 

              Ferdie decided that he had to do something to commemorate this most fantastic stroke of fortune. He spent the next few days writing a song about it. He recorded the tune and submitted it to the local radio station. They played it on the air for a few weeks but it generated very little interest, outside of the local area.  The recording languished in obscurity.

 

              About a year and a half later the tune somehow mysteriously found its way into the hands of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. He hated the lyrics but he loved the melody. He decided to rewrite the words and the group recorded the new tune. Many of you will recognize the song as the hit 'Little Deuce Coupe'..........but how many of you actually knew that the original version was called...........

 

'Little Goose Dupe'?