Posted by CPV on December 11, 1999 at 08:37:37
Martin is traveling with his wife and mother-in-law in a
far east country. At a place of honor his mother-in-law
makes a careless remark, which the native people take as an
insult to the royal family.
Martin is dragged off to court with his wife and
mother-in-law and are sentenced to corporal punishment. Each
of them are to receive 50 lashes on the rear end with a
cane. But because the royal family doesn't want to appear
hostile to foreigners, they grant the guests in their
country a wish beforehand, as long as it is able to be
fulfilled.
Mrs. Martin is first. "What do you wish for yourself?"
"I would like a pillow bound on my rear end before the
lashings."
"Okay, that shall be granted to you."
Mrs. Martin has the pillow bound to her rear end and
receives her punishment. But because the pillow is too small
and the executioner also hits her back a couple of times,
she receives a few blows.
Next it is Martin's mother-in-law's turn.
"What do you wish for yourself?"
"I would like a pillow bound on my rear end and a pillow
bound on my back before the lashings."
"Okay, that shall be granted to you."
The mother-in-law receives her fifty lashes, but hardly
feels the pain through the pillows.
Then comes Martin himself. "What do you wish for yourself?"
"I have two wishes. Do you want to fulfill them for me?"
"Because you are a guest in our country, we want to fulfill
your wishes for you, as long as they are reasonable."
"I would like 100 lashes instead of 50."
The executioner is surprised, but recovers again right away
and replies, "Yes, that is a pious wish, it shall be granted
to you. And what is your second wish?"
"I would like to have my mother-in-law bound to my back."
