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Another one from the files of Huck Finn, a truly perceptive gentleman from
the upper midwest. This one on the subject of government...

Once upon a time there was a king who wanted to go fishing.

He called the royal weather forecaster and asked about the upcoming weather
conditions.

The weatherman assured him that there was no chance of rain in the days ahead.

So the king went fishing with his wife, the queen. On the way he met a farmer on his
donkey.

Upon seeing the king the farmer said, "Your Majesty, you should return to the palace at
once because in just a short time I expect a huge amount of rain to fall in this area."

The king was polite and considerate, he replied: "I hold the palace meteorologist in high
regard. He is an extensively educated and experienced professional. And besides, I pay
him very high wages. He gave me a very different forecast. I trust him and I will continue
on my way."

A short time later a torrential rain fell from the sky. The king and queen were totally soaked.
Their entourage chuckled upon seeing them in such a drenched condition.

Furious, the king returned to the palace and fired the weatherman at once!

Then he summoned the farmer and offered him the prestigious and high paying role of Royal
Forecaster.

The farmer said, "Your Majesty, I do not know anything about forecasting. I obtain all that
information from my donkey. If I see my donkey's ears drooping, it means with certainty
that it will rain."

So the king hired the donkey.

And thus began the practice of hiring asses to work in the government and occupy its highest
and most influential advisory positions.
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