SLEEPING IN THE BARN
A Hindu, a Jew, and a politician decide to make a journey together. At the end of their first day on the road, they look for a place to stay overnight.
They pass by a farmhouse with its light on and proceed to knock on the door. A farmer answers and they ask if he has a place for them to sleep until morning.
“Well I have a large couch two can sleep on in the living room. If one of you is willing to
sleep in the barn, you are welcome to stay.”
The three travelers agree and they thank the farmer. The Hindu says to the others, “I’ll stay in the barn, tonight.” He gathers his things and goes out back to sleep.
They all settle down for the night. The farmer goes to his bedroom, the Jew and the politician get comfortable on the couch. Ten minutes later…
“Knock, knock, knock.”
There’s someone at the front door. The farmer gets out of bed, opens the door, and sees the Hindu man standing on the front step.
“I’m sorry, he says to the farmer. There’s a cow in the barn. In my religion, the cow is sacred. I can’t sleep in the barn with the holy animal.”
The Jewish man volunteers, “No problem, I’ll sleep in the barn – you take my place on the couch.” They settle down in their new arrangements. The farmer turns off the lights and returns to his bedroom. Ten minutes later…
“Knock, knock, knock.” Once again, the farmer rises from his sleep and answers the knock at the front door. It’s the Jewish man.
“Please forgive me, but there is a pig in the barn. I
strictly observe the laws of kosher, and a pig is unclean to us. I can’t sleep with a pig.”
The politician steps forward and tells his friend, “I’ll sleep in the barn, you take the couch.”
The farmer goes back to bed for a second time after turning off the lights. The Hindu and the Jew are asleep on the couch. Ten minutes later…
“Knock, knock, knock.” Wearily, the farmer
wakes up to answer the front door expecting the politician’s complaint. Standing on his doorstep is the pig.
The End
