Concrete and Clay

As I stood gazing at trains passing in and out of tunnels last week, I was reminded of an astonishing event that took place three years ago and which to this day leaves me gobsmacked in recollection.

Two friends of mine, T and A, who were both born on May the 11th, albeit on consecutive years, went home one weekend to visit their parents. After two days at home, they both returned to London with a Jew's Harp between their teeth, intent on impressing their household with the novelty of the instrument, completely unaware that the other person had done the same. Needless to say, both were stupefied when they returned to find the other person with the same instrument in their mouths.

Neither had had any contact with each other throughout the weekend (proved), and whereas T had bought his from a market, A had been given his from his granddad. I have never before or since that weekend ever encountered either a Jew's Harp, or anyone playing one.

In case you are wondering, a Jew's Harp is a strange little twangy thing that sits between teeth and makes vibrating moonshoe noises.

Now please someone tell me, what are the odds of this happening? Surely they are beyond the calculating powers of even the greatest googlemachines? I call for a re-evaluation of science based on the empirical evidence of birthdays and odd instruments.