Kashmiri Pandits' Association, Mumbai, India

While visiting England, George Bush is invited to take tea with the Queen. Given his recent political problems, he decides to take advantage of her years of leadership experience and asks her what her leadership philosophy is. She responds that it is to surround herself with the most intelligent people she can find and let them do their jobs. Intrigued with this novel theory, Bush asks her how she is able to tell if the people are intelligent. "I do so by asking them a test question", responds the Queen. "Allow me to demonstrate." The Queen then dials 10 Downing Street and asks to speak to Tony Blair. "Mr. Prime Minister, please answer a hypothetical question for me." I'll do my best, Your Majesty", responds Blair. "Your mother has a child and your father has a child", says the Queen. "The child is not your brother or your sister. Who is the child?" Tony Blair hesitates momentarily and then confidently replies "Well, Your Majesty, the child would have to be me." "Correct", says the Queen. "Good day to you, Mr. Blair." The Queen hangs up and says, "Did you hear that Mr. Bush? See how clever he is." Impressed, Bush replies, "I certainly did. I'll definitely be using that one back in Washington." Upon returning to Washington, Bush decides he'd better put some of his senior staff to the test. He summons Condoleeza Rice to his office and says, "I wonder if you could answer a hypothetical question for me." "Why of course, Mr. President", Rice responds eagerly, impressed that the President was actually seeking her input on something. "Well, uh, let’s say your mother has a child and your father has a child. This child is not your brother and also is not your sister. Who is it?" Somewhat surprised at this odd question, Rice hems and haws and finally asks if she can have some time to think about it. "Certainly", responds Bush. Rice immediately calls a meeting of her senior staff and they puzzle over the question for several hours. Totally baffled, they decide to conduct some research and contact a loyal Beltway consulting firm. A budget of $10 million is provided and intensive research is carried out over the next two weeks. Unfortunately, the consultants were unable to come up with any answer. Desperate to impress her boss, Rice decides to take a chance and calls Colin Powell, who just happens to be in his office. "I realize as an ex-military guy, you probably are not all that wise in the ways of the world, but maybe you can help me out with a problem I have. I will certainly make it worth your while. I can guarantee you major support in defence spending over the next year." Powell is naturally skeptical about promises, but in the spirit of political co-operation, he agrees to do what he can to help out. "O.K., here goes", says Rice. "Your mother has a child and your father has a child. The child is not your brother or your sister. Who is the child?" Without hesitating, Powell responds “It would be me, of course." Impressed at the quick response, Rice quickly brushes off Powell and rushes to the Oval Office. "I know the answer to your question Mr. President!! I know who the child is!!" Bush, who was privately becoming a bit concerned at the delay in hearing back from Rice, is delighted. "Who is it, then?" he asks. With obvious pride, Rice replies, "It? Colin Powell Sir ! - It’s Colin Powell!!" Stunned, Bush shouts in disgust, "Wrong, - its Tony Blair!!"

Previous

Index

Next

JOIN US