Did You See That, Redux: Penguin Edition

While at the Ophthalmologist for my annual eye exam, there are several tests that are done. One of the very last tests involve getting eye drops that dilate the pupils, so that the doctor can take a look at your eyes in greater detail.

When this happens, people are generally taken to a waiting area where they sit for 10-15 minutes (while the eye drops do their thing).

As I was seated and waiting, I looked up to see several framed photographs of animals on the wall. And there, above the photo of the penguins, I saw… the tiniest little detail.

There, balanced on the top of the frame, was a very, very tiny penguin! It felt joyous and like a small victory to have noticed, partly because it was so small… and partly because well… my eyes were just given drugs to make them less effective at what they should normally do.

There was an older woman who was sitting next to me. And I couldn’t help myself – I leaned over, and asked if she noticed the penguin.

At first, she looked at me with apprehension (which honestly, makes total sense). And then she seemed puzzle, because of course she could see there was this giant photograph of penguins on the wall. But then she immediately softened, smiled, and said that she too had spotted the miniature version, balanced on the frame.

I’m not sure the origin story of this little penguin. Did one of the staff put it there? Was it a playful thing? Was it malicious, in a “Let’s mess with the people who are going to have vision problems” thing?

Or did a patient put it up there? In an ironic reversal of patient/physician power, with a patient doing something that trained ophthalmologists wouldn’t see?

Either way, I’m delighted I spotted it. And perhaps, a year from now, I’ll see if I get to see it again.

Related:
Spotted While At the Ophthalmologist
Did You See That?
Checking Out the Eyes
A Year of Unhealthy Living Catches Up to Me