On the Lighter Side (June 2014)

[374 words] A none-too-alert motorist sat motionless behind the wheel of his car. The traffic signal changed from green to yellow to red and back to green again. Still he sat staring ahead. Whereupon a police officer approached the absentminded man and demanded: “Mister, don’t we have any colors you like?” – There is a charming story concerning the noble statesman, William Ewart Gladstone. Crossing the frontier between France and Belgium, he was interrogated by an officious customs officer: “Have you anything to declare?” “Only a bunch of grapes,” replied the Englishman. The officer countered, “You cannot pass with those grapes, sir. They are dutiable.” “I will pay no duty,” replied Gladstone. “Then you must leave the grapes behind,” said the customs examiner. ”No, I shall pass, grapes and all,” insisted Gladstone. Whereupon he started slowly eating the grapes until they disappeared. ”Now,” he said with a smile, “I shall…