Dunno if its been posted before, but it made me laugh.
An Englishman, a Dutchman and an Frenchman are all in Saudi Arabia,
sharing a smuggled crate of booze when, all of a sudden, Saudi police rush in
and arrest them. The mere possession of alcohol is a severe offence in Saudi
Arabia, so for the terrible crime of actually being caught consuming the booze,
they are all sentenced to death! However, after many months and with the help of
very good lawyers, they are able to successfully appeal their sentences down to
life imprisonment.
By a stroke of luck, it was a Saudi national holiday the day their
trial finished, and the extremely benevolent Sheikh decided they could be
released after receiving just 20 lashes each of the whip.
As they were preparing for their punishment, the Sheikh announced:
"It\'s my first wife\'s birthday today, and she has asked me to allow each of you
one wish before your whipping."
The Dutchman was first in line, he thought for a while and then
said: "Please tie a pillow to my back." This was done, but the pillow only
lasted 10 lashes before the whip went through. When the punishment was done he
had to be carried away bleeding and crying with pain.
The Frenchman was next up. After watching the Dutchman in horror he
said smugly: "Please fix two pillows to my back." But even two pillows could
only take 15 lashes before the whip went through again and the Frenchman was
soon led away whimpering loudly (as they do).
The Englishman was the last one up, but before he could say
anything, the Sheikh turned to him and said: "You are from a most beautiful part
of the world and your culture is one of the finest in the world. For this, you
may have two wishes!"
"Thank you, your Most Royal and Merciful highness", The Englishman
replied. "In recognition of your kindness, my first wish is that you give me
not 20, but 100 lashes."
"Not only are you an honourable, handsome and powerful man, you are
also very brave". The Sheikh said with an admiring look on his face.
"If 100 lashes is what you desire, then so be it. And your second
wish, what is it to be?" the Sheikh asked.
"Tie the Frenchman to my back."
