PART II.

In this whimsical and adventurous chapter of “The Bab Ballads,” the narrator embarks on an eccentric quest to discover the author of the charming and elusive cracker mottoes that captivate his Elvira. His journey takes him to celebrated poets—Henry Wadsworth, Alfred Poet Close, and Mister Martin Tupper—in hopes that one of them might be the creator of these witty verses. Each poet, however, denies involvement with the cracker mottoes, and Tupper responds with a cryptic message, illustrating the narrator’s folly in pursuing such a trivial quest.

Undeterred and driven by his quest for knowledge, the narrator travels the globe, wandering through Patagonia, China, and Norway, demonstrating his relentless pursuit of truth, however frivolous the objective may seem. Eventually, weariness overtakes him, leading to a fateful encounter at a pastry cook’s shop— a place adorned with blooms and offering comfort in the form of mock turtle soup.

The pastry cook, a figure of joviality and contentment, reveals himself as the unsuspected author of the cracker mottoes. This revelation comes after the narrator inquires about the source of the cook’s happiness, wondering if it stems from virtue or the effects of sherry. The cook’s cheerful disposition is attributed to his love for his craft—be it baking or penning mottoes for crackers, blending creativity with culinary skills.

Finally, the narrator’s exhaustive search concludes in a moment of jubilation and absurdity, as he joyously flings turtle soup around, celebrating the unearthing of the cracker mottoes’ author. This chapter not only follows a ludicrous quest across continents but also celebrates the joy found in unexpected places and pursuits, encapsulated in a narrative that combines humor, persistence, and the delight of discovery.