The Rout of the White Hussars by Rudyard Kipling

When a regiment’s beloved band instruments are accidentally sent away for cleaning, the commanding officer imposes silence—unleashing chaos and a bizarre series of events. Eventually, ghostly music and superstition add to the absurdity, leading to a comic resolution. The plot is driven by miscommunication and military routine gone awry. Kipling mocks rigidity in the face of harmless mishap. A light-hearted satire of military tradition and the power of morale.