Young man with a trumpet

Frank Belknap Long's Young man with a trumpet is a Victorian science fiction novel. Key subjects include animals and music.

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About Young man with a trumpet

Young man with a trumpet by Frank Belknap Long is a short science-fiction fable written in the mid-20th century. It imagines a post-human Earth where animals, determined to avoid humanity’s mistakes, try to revive the lost art of music. After humans have departed, the animals gather to create music but fail despite earnest attempts: the ass brays, the wolf howls, the bullfrog croaks, the learned birds posture, and the big cats roar—each effort impressive yet musically hollow. At last a small monkey rises, lifts a golden trumpet, and plays with transcendent beauty—music that seems almost human yet perfected by patience and practice. The animals are swept into rapture and applaud, and the monkey stands proud, certain he had always possessed the gift to bring true music back to the world.
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