As a new reporter for The Sun, I was assigned to a human interest story about a man who was supposed to be the oldest person in his village and perhaps the oldest person in the world. I was intrigued to meet the gentleman, and happy to do the interview. When I was done I showed my editor my notes (which I had written on a napkin) of what the old man had said:

"How old am I? Let me add up the days."

"I ‘ave spent as many years as the days that fog covered the world.
I ‘ave lived as long as it took Tiberius to sail a parsec at sea.
For each of Nemo’s cables, a minute I 'ave endured.
As many years as Arthur N. Ford’s answer to the unknown.
I saw the long 'and pass by as often as the traveller circled the sun."

After seeing my notes my editor would not print the article until I could provide the old man’s age.

How old did he claim to be?

(In reply to re(2): On the side of reality - and a thought by Dej Mar)

I hadn't considered the Sci-Fi theme as some of the clues are unknown to me, but Jules Verne certain stands out.

I recall seeing a Sci-Fi movie some years ago which I am certain has a literary base.  I recall that as the craft, under its own momentum, approaches within a risky range of the Sun, the occupants have to take such measures to avoid heat and intense light entering.  Other than Verne, Wells would seem to be the only logical prominent author to suggest such a preposturous idea.  I wonder if that is whether the answer lies?

Posted by brianjn on 2007-11-02 02:10:54