I ran across this joke... it brings me back a lot of memories while i was in high school...
so i would like to share with everyone.....
Back in the day when Khmer Empire was at large, the stories of Thon Jay was part of ancient literary traditions of Cambodian. The story was passed on by the word of mouth from generation to generations for thousand of year.
Thon Jay has been known as a brainy clever trickster in the country.
Thon Jay and the King
Thon Jay met a lot of people at the center square in downtown near the king’s palace. He told them that he can order the king to do thing at his command. Soon the words reached the palace and the king asks Jay to meet in the courtyard surrounded by his courtesans and courtiers. Jay arrives at the courtyard in the hot afternoon to meet king there.
The king said: “Jay, I’ve heard people saying that you can order me to do things at your command, right?”
Jay answered: “Yes, Your Majesty”. The king felt so insulted and angry at the same time.
“I don’t know what makes you so dumb, you brainy boy” the king taunted at Jay.” You’re going to lose your head, if I’m not doing what you tell me to do.”
Jay responded: “Yes your majesty, I guarantee that with my life”.
The king shouted: “Why don’t you tell me what to do now, Jay?
“I only can tell you what to do when you are in the water, your highness” Jay answered.
Suddenly the king stood up and said: “Let us see then”. The king quickly took off his clothes and lowered himself into the pond. “Now I’m in the water, whatever you command me to do and don’t expect me to it?”
Jay politely bowing to the king and said: “Dear your highness, I was not attempting to command you what to do in the water. I was attempting you as commanding you to go into the water. And as you can see, I have succeeded!”
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