JUMPING FLEA
Of my assortment of stringed instruments, all of which I more-or-less play (some more than others), the one which is the most fun is the 'ukulele. Tonight I came across a newspaper article noting the 125 anniversary of the uke.

It was designed by Portuguese immigrants to Hawaii -- modeled after the braguinha -- a miniature guitar. The Hawaiian word 'ukulele means "jumping flea." And with a name like that you've got to at least chuckle every time you pull it out of the case.

I suspect that if everyone owned a uke we'd achieve world peace because we'd all be taking ourselves a lot less seriously.