The Evolution of Cry

Gone is the goat cry that amused Clara Grace’s parents so much during her early weeks. It was first replaced with what her mommy referred to affectionately as the “foghorn” cry. Sometimes, in the dead of night, Clara Grace’s mommy and daddy were awakened to loud and repeated calls of “Wa-ah! Wa-ah!” The two syllables in these exclamations descended in perfect fifths, just like foghorns heard on large seafaring vessels. Clara Grace’s mommy mused sleeplessly one night how not only was her daughter’s cry similar to a foghorn in sound but in function as well. Clara Grace bellowed her loud “Wa-ahs!” from the crib not in panic, but in what sounded almost like a question. “Wa-ah! I’m floating alone in this dark crib in the center of my ocean of a nursery. Wa-ah! Is anyone hearing me? Wa-ah! and if so, respond please.” For better or worse, the foghorn went the way of the goat after only a few short weeks.