| While I was in Athens in 1981 I heard Ø the following joke – about the destruction caused by the recent earthquake: (‘si:smoss’ in Greek) |
| “The earthquake was followed by a public outcry. Everyone wanted to know who was responsible for the damage. A trial was organized and suspects were sent for |
| The first to appear before the court was the cement. |
| The bag entered Ø the court, stood in the dock and declared, “I am not guilty. I am of the finest quality, like my father before me and his father before him. You cannot charge me with this negligence.” |
| The court, impressed by the obvious sincerity of the defendant, allowed Ø him to go free. |
| The next to appear was the breeze block, who told the court, “You must not accuse me of weakness or of failing in my duty. Look at me, touch me, see how hard and strong I am. I certainly did not let you down.” |
| The jurors listened to this passionate oration, and those who ran a finger along his surface agreed that he was indeed as hard as was necessary to hold up buildings. |
| The breeze block, too, was acquitted of responsibility. |
| The last of the accused was the iron bar, used to make reinforced concrete, and his defence was a masterpiece of simplicity; |
| “It certainly wasn’t my fault – I wasn’t even there!” |
A Greek joke, from 1981 – ANSWERS