8/6/08



COWBOY LOGIC

Three strangers strike up a conversation in the airport passenger lounge in Bozeman , Montana , awaiting their flights. One is an American Indian passing through from Lame Deer. Another is a Cowboy on his way to Billings for a livestock show, and the third passenger is a fundamentalist Arab student, newly arrived at Montana State University from the Middle East .

Their discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon, the two Westerners learn that the Arab is a devout, radical Muslim and the conversation falls into an uneasy lull. The wind outside is blowing tumbleweeds around and the old windsock is flapping; but still no plane comes. The cowboy leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a magazine table and tips his big sweat-stained Stetson forward over his face.




Finally, the American Indian clears his throat and softly he speaks, "At one time here, my people were many, but sadly, now we are few." The Muslim student raises an eyebrow and leans forward, "Once my people were few," he sneers, "and now we are many. Why do you suppose that is?" The Montana cowboy shifts a toothpick to one side of his mouth and from the darkness beneath his Stetson says in a drawl, "That's 'cause we ain't played Cowboys and Muslims yet, but I do believe it's a comin'..."

2 comments:

SevenVillageIdiarts said...

That is some seriously funny cowboy humor, and "appropriate" for the situation. I can't post/forward it since I had that Muslim babysitter for my kids, that I adored, funny how knowing a Muslim person changes how you feel about them as a whole!

The deVilleneuves said...

I'm sure that all Muslim's aren't bad. In fact, most ARE wonderful. But, the joke was careful to point out an "extreme" Muslim. I'm glad you liked your babysitter. I'm sure she is a neat gal.