A man is crawling through the Sahara desert
when he is approached by another man riding on a camel. As the rider approaches, the
crawling man whispers through his parched lips, "Water ... please ... can you give
... water ..."
"I'm sorry," replies the man on
the camel, "I don't have any water with me. But I'd be delighted to sell you a
necktie."
"Necktie?" whispers the man.
"I need water!"
"They're only four dollars
apiece."
"I need water."
"Okay, okay, two for seven
dollars."
"Please! I need water!" the man
exclaims.
"I don't have any water, all I have
are ties," replies the salesman, as he heads off into the distance.
By now the man has lost all track of time,
crawling through the desert seemingly for days. Finally, nearly dead, with clothes
tattered and skin peeling under the relentless sun, he comes upon a restaurant. Summoning
his last bit of strength, he staggers to the door and confronts the head waiter.
"Water ... can I get ... water,"
the dying man pleads.
"I'm sorry, sir. Neckties
required," replies the waiter.
