I think the problem is that you're using basing your conclusion from the cheap/dumb models available on the free tier of services. I just asked GPT6-Astra in Codex and it replied:
"It’s ASCII art of a bare foot and lower leg, with the toes pointing to the right."
No tool calling, just an immediate reply with the correct answer.
"It’s ASCII art of a bare foot and lower leg, with the toes pointing to the right."
No tool calling, just an immediate reply with the correct answer.