04/30/01

Once upon a time a powerful emperor of Japan advertised for
a new Chief Samurai.  After a year, only three samurai had
applied for the job: one Japanese, one Chinese and one
Jewish.  The emperor called them all before his court.

Demonstrate your skills!" commanded the emperor.

The Japanese samurai stepped forward, opened a tiny box and
released a fly.  He drew his samurai sword and ...
the fly fell to the floor, neatly divided in two!

What a feat!" said the Emperor.  "Samurai number two, show
me what you can do."

The Chinese samurai smiled confidently, stepped forward and
opened a tiny box, releasing a fly.  He drew his samurai
sword and 'Swish!' 'Swish!'... the fly fell to the floor
neatly quartered.

"That is skill!" nodded the Emperor.  "How are you going to
top that, samurai number three?"

Samurai number three stepped forward, opened a tiny box
releasing a fly, drew his samurai sword and ...
flourished his sword so mightily, that a gust of wind blew
through the room.  But... the fly was still buzzing around!

In disappointment, the emperor said, "What kind of skill is
that?  The fly isn't even dead."

"Dead, schmead," replied the Jewish samurai.  "Dead is easy.
But a circumcision?  THAT takes skill!"