This is a piece commissioned by St. Bartholomew's Orchestra and sponsored by Croydon Council for a concert in April 2004. A degu is a Chilean rodent and the piece is dedicated to Duncan, my fiance's degu, who is a bit of a character. A skill unique to this unusual animal is the ability to communicate by warbling and uttering high pitched squeaks and squawks, which can be hilarious. In the music these are represented by a swanee whistle. My brief for the concert was to write four pieces which reflect different emotions or moods. This is the "funny" one!