Faisal bin Turki brought a newspaper to the desk.
"Boulenger, listen to this.
"It says here that an Englishman, Thomas Stevens, has circled the world on a bicycle. Did you hear me, Boulenger? A bicycle! Of course, he had to walk through Wyoming. And he took a steamer from Calcutta to China."
Boulenger nodded. "Not surprising, Faisal! C'est l'exception qui confirme la régle. Most geckos can't fly, after all.
"Now, Faisal, help me with my Christmas card. What should I write?"
Faisal couldn't say, but was dreaming of penny-farthings.