Mexican Cow Train?!

A rather bizarre occurrence interrupted our Shakespearean Drama lecture this afternoon. Just as Prof. Knowles was discussing the Jewish ghetto in Venice (which makes this the fourth of my five classes this semester to address ghettos created for minorities), we heard the whistle of an old steam locomotive, and 8 or 9 crazed individuals entered the room in a variety of strange costumes, cow suits being the apparent favorite. They ran around, making a lot of noise, although the only words I caught were in Spanish. Once the last cow was gone with an ¡Adios! and a swish of the tail a couple people tried to start an applause, but I think most people would agree that Prof. Knowles consistently provides such lively and pleasant lectures that interruptions are really not welcome diversions.

The professor seemed a bit annoyed while all this was happening but ended up with the last laugh. Once the room was clear and the three people stopped clapping he simply stood, staring down at his notes - as if dismayed with our generation - and then staring out at the audience - as if to see if we realized how stupid we are sometimes. I like the fact that his excellent understanding of comedy is not wasted upon him.