The Tale of the Jewish Samurai

[Maxie]

Once upon a time a powerful Emperor of the Rising Sun advertised

for a new Chief Samurai. After a year, only three applied for

the job: a Japanese, a Chinese and a Jewish Samurai.

"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 * Swish! * the fly

fell to the floor, neatly divided in two!
"What a feat!" said the Emperor.

"Number Two Samurai, 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, Number three Samurai?"
Number Three Samurai stepped forward, opened a tiny box

releasing one fly, drew his samurai sword and *Swoooooosh! *

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.

Circumcision… now THAT takes skill!"