A traveler became lost in the desert region of Algeria.
Realizing his only chance for survival was to find
civilization, he began walking. Time passed, and he
became thirsty. More time passed, and he began feeling faint.
Reduced to crawling, he was on the verge of passing
out when he spied a tent about 500 meters in front of him.
Barely conscious, he reached the tent and called out,
"Water..."
A Bedouin appeared in the tent door and replied
sympathetically, "I am sorry, sir, but I have no
water. However, would you like to buy a tie?"
With this, he brandished a collection of exquisite
silken neckwear.
"You fool," gasped the man. "I'm dying! I need water!"
"Well, sir," replied the Bedouin, "If you really need
water, there is a tent about 2 kilometers south of here where
you can get some."
Without knowing how, the man summoned sufficient
strength to drag his parched body the distance to the second tent.
With his last ounce of strength he tugged at the door of
the tent and collapsed.
Another Bedouin, dressed in a costly tuxedo, appeared
at the door and enquired, "May I help you sir?"
"Water..." was the feeble reply.
"Oh, sir," replied the Bedouin, "I'm sorry, but you
can't come in here without a tie!" |
