The mermaid is going to use Len the octopus to hold the Hanukkah candles so he’s going to need to stay there the whole time.
Philip has it–the octopus has eight arms, one for each candle.
To be pedantic, the mermaid and her crew also need another creature to sit on the octopus’ head and hold the shamash candle if they intend to use the octopus as a hanukkiah.
What’s Len the Octopus saying in the first panel? It’s too small for me to make it out…
“it’s going to be a long week”
Thank you, Philip and beckoningchasm. I was wondering which of the critters was “Len,” but the “8” clue settles that.
@BillyTheSkink: the octopus could hold a candle in its beak. Yeah, it would interfere with breathing, but so would staying out of water for a week.
Hmmm, have to remember this. Robert has developed a fear that I will burn the house down with my Chanukah menorah – despite my only burning it on the stove in a large dish to catch any falling ash or candles (and have done so for over 65 years with no accidents). Next time he gives me tsuris over this, I will tell him that if he wants me to, I can try to hire an octopus to hold the candles for me.
We both do, as I have mentioned in the past, 18th century reenacting. Our unit interprets the only house at the local restored village which is set up in same for the Christmas Nights program. (The other houses are 19th century). I am standing with a candle next to me on the table all night – even will switch in a new candle when the old one is too low. We have done this event for about 20 years – maybe more – with me generally standing at this spot (sometimes I get stuck at the front door – brrrr). Never even had candle fall over or any sort of injury done – but suddenly now he is in a panic of my burning myself.
A belated Happy Chanukah and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Comics I Don't Understand 
The mermaid is going to use Len the octopus to hold the Hanukkah candles so he’s going to need to stay there the whole time.
Philip has it–the octopus has eight arms, one for each candle.
To be pedantic, the mermaid and her crew also need another creature to sit on the octopus’ head and hold the shamash candle if they intend to use the octopus as a hanukkiah.
What’s Len the Octopus saying in the first panel? It’s too small for me to make it out…
“it’s going to be a long week”
Thank you, Philip and beckoningchasm. I was wondering which of the critters was “Len,” but the “8” clue settles that.
@BillyTheSkink: the octopus could hold a candle in its beak. Yeah, it would interfere with breathing, but so would staying out of water for a week.
Hmmm, have to remember this. Robert has developed a fear that I will burn the house down with my Chanukah menorah – despite my only burning it on the stove in a large dish to catch any falling ash or candles (and have done so for over 65 years with no accidents). Next time he gives me tsuris over this, I will tell him that if he wants me to, I can try to hire an octopus to hold the candles for me.
We both do, as I have mentioned in the past, 18th century reenacting. Our unit interprets the only house at the local restored village which is set up in same for the Christmas Nights program. (The other houses are 19th century). I am standing with a candle next to me on the table all night – even will switch in a new candle when the old one is too low. We have done this event for about 20 years – maybe more – with me generally standing at this spot (sometimes I get stuck at the front door – brrrr). Never even had candle fall over or any sort of injury done – but suddenly now he is in a panic of my burning myself.
A belated Happy Chanukah and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.