The USS Billy Badass pulled into Fort-de-France, Martinique and gave the crew liberty until midnight. Seaman "Simple" Sailor trying to sneak back to his ship after liberty had expired was spotted by Master Chief Petty Officer Billy "Goat" Bones who ordered him to explain his tardiness. The lame explanation didn't work. "Take this broom and sweep every link on this anchor chain by morning or it's the brig for you," the Master Chief said.
Seaman Sailor began to sweep, but a tern landed on the broom handle and he couldn't continue. He yelled at the bird, but it didn't budge. He finally plucked it off the broom and gave it a toss. But the bird came right back and again landed on the handle. Over and over, the same routine was repeated. A toss, one sweep, and the bird was back.
When morning came, Master Chief Bones also was back. "What have you been doing all night? This chain is no cleaner than when you started!" "Honest, Master Chief," said Seaman Sailor, "I tossed a tern all night and couldn't sweep a link."
(This story is nautical lore.)
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