1252. The letter Q

In the scheme of things this little letter of the alphabet, although simply a Q, had waited a long time to come into existence. Each letter of the alphabet may seem the same (a w is a w), yet each one is different; the placement of the letter within the word, the placement of the word in a sentence, that sentence in a novel or a poem or a history book… And what language? A capital or a small letter? And next to what other letters? Perhaps even next to a semi-colon – and for centuries to come. A letter cast not in bronze or set in stone but placed in an indestructible word! Indeed, the pen is mightier than the sword.

This little Q – a capital letter – had waited since the beginning of written language to discover its destiny and to fulfil it. And the time was drawing near! The line was getting shorter. The work in which it was to be placed had begun to be typed. It was to be in a book filled with wisdom! It was typed out on a computer – and a fairly dilapidated one at that! The Q knew, being a capital, it would begin either a sentence or a proper name! What sentence? What proper name? The moment had arrived!

Qui court deux lievres a la fois, n’en prend aucun.

Oh! how the little letter wished it understood French.