In the colorful tapestry of American history, Benjamin Franklin, that wily inventor with a penchant for kites and a knack for wit, once embarked on a feathery escapade. Picture a room filled with powdered wigs and ink-stained parchment, where Franklin, armed with a turkey feather quill, passionately argued, “Gentlemen, why settle for the bald eagle, a bird of bad moral character? He does not get his living honestly and is too lazy to fish for himself.”
In that whimsical moment, Franklin envisioned a national emblem adorned not with the stern and majestic bald eagle, but with the turkey – a bird exuding character, charm, and a certain gobble-worthy charisma. He painted a picture of a turkey-clad banner, a symbol of year-round Thanksgiving-like unity, fluttering proudly above a burgeoning nation.
However, as the tale goes, the bald eagle, with its regal profile and piercing gaze, won the hearts of the Founding Fathers. Franklin’s turkey proposal, along with his witty critique of the bald eagle’s work ethic, found its place in the annals of “What Could Have Been.” The turkey’s shot at national stardom was lost, forever relegated to the festive table rather than gracing flags and coins.
Imagine, in an alternate universe, our currency featuring a turkey in a top hat, and Thanksgiving becoming a daily celebration! Picture kids across the nation pledging allegiance to the turkey, gobbling in unison every morning. It’s a comedic tragedy of epic proportions.
So, as we gaze at the noble bald eagle soaring overhead, let’s spare a thought for the turkey that could have been. Franklin’s fowl dream may have been ruffled, but in the comedy of American history, the turkey has found its place – not on the national seal, but on the festive table, surrounded by cranberry sauce and stuffing.
In the spirit of Franklin’s witty critique, let’s ponder the moral character of our national emblem. Discover more about the turkey’s brush with glory and other avian escapades in our curated collection of whimsical wonders. Gobble up the details here, and remember, sometimes it takes a turkey to truly appreciate the humor in history.