Jokes

[A. BOOZER]

At a small terminal in the Texas Panhandle, three strangers are awaiting

their shuttle flight. One is a Native American passing through from

Oklahoma. Another, a local ranch hand on his way to Ft. Worth for a

stock show. The third passenger is an Arab student, newly arrived from

the Middle East.

To pass the time they strike up a conversation on recent events, and the

discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon the Westerners learn

that the Arab is a devout Muslim. The conversation falls into an uneasy

lull. The cowpoke leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a

magazine table, tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face

while the wind outside blows tumbleweeds and the old windsock flaps.

Finally, the Native American clears his throat and softly, he speaks:

"Once my people were many, now we are few." The Muslim raises an eyebrow

and leans forward, "Once my people were few," he sneers, "and now we are

many. Why do you suppose that is?"

The Texan shifts the toothpick to one side of his mouth and from the

darkness beneath his Stetson says, "That's 'cause we ain't played

Cowboys and Muslims yet."