Introduction to “Carnival of the Animals”

[Introductory Poem]

It's carnival time in the animal kingdom!
They come from the distant most ends of the earth
To mingle and gamble and gossip and jostle each other
And show what they know about mirth

Now, we cannot see all of them
Much as we'd like to
And therefore, at random, we'll just have to choose some
We've got a fine bunch of musicians on hand
Plus a pair of pianists
You win some, you lose some

So make yourselves comfortable, ladies and gents
The procession of beasts is about to commence