Question: In *Asterix and the Magic Carpet*, [Cacofonix's](https://www.asterix.com/en/portfolio/cacofonix/) singing produces rain. (Previously, this had never happened.)

**Why is it that when Cacofonix sings, it rains in #28 (*Magic Carpet*, 1987), but not in Books #1-27 (1961-83)?** (Others may disagree, but I find this problematic, puzzling, and in need of explanation.)

(This effect also continues in the next book *Asterix and the Secret Weapon*.)

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Four of the five current answers simply quote from Wikipedia's (unsourced) assertion that there is a French saying that when one sings poorly, it rains.

This could very well be an explanation. But absent either in-universe (i.e. within the comic books, perhaps cleared up in later books) or out-of-universe (e.g. interviews with Uderzo) evidence, this is just speculation. Moreover, it is unsatisfying because it fails to address my above question (in bold).

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Edit: In case it isn't clear, I am not disputing the existence of such a French saying. I am disputing that the existence of such a French saying is a satisfactory explanation to my question. In particular, it fails to explain why Cacofonix's singing had not previously produced rain in the previous 27 books.

Answer: 
On page 6 of *Asterix and the Magic Carpet* (in-panel numbering), Vitalstatistix says regarding Cacofonix’ rainmaking abilities:

> 
> Oh, yes … I was forgetting, Cacofonix has new string to his lyre these days.
> 
> 
> 

As noted by [Darren](https://scifi.stackexchange.com/users/75476/darren), this is probably a pun involving adding a [string to one’s bow](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/string_to_one%27s_bow), which analogously works with [avoir plus d’une corde à son arc](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/avoir_plus_d%27une_corde_%C3%A0_son_arc) in the French original.

Now, there are two ways to interpret this:

* The pun only happens out-of-universe, in which case the new string actually is responsible in-universe.
* The pun happens in-universe, i.e., Vitalstatistix (as opposed to only Uderzo) makes the pun, in which case Cacofonix somehow acquired a new “skill” to do this.

Either way, the new rainmaking effects of Cacofonix’ music are addressed on the page: Either it’s because he actually upgraded (or rather: downgraded) his instrument or his abilities.
Perhaps not immediately clear for English readers, the original French name of the bard in the cartoons is *Assurancetourix*, a contraction of the French term *Assurance tous risques*, literally "all-risk insurance".

An all-risk insurance includes coverage that automatically covers any risk, including natural disasters. It's not unreasonable to assume that in the development of the character the new writers (Goscinni, the original story writer died in 1977) some of the "all-risk" natural disasters are being incorporated.