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Two wishes

An American, a Dutchman, and a Frenchman were all in Saudi Arabia, sharing a
smuggled crate of whiskey when, all of a sudden, Saudi police rushed in and
arrested them. The mere possession of alcohol is a severe offense in Saudi
Arabia, so for the terrible crime of actually being caught consuming the
whiskey, they were all sentenced to death.

After many months and with the help of very good lawyers, however, they were
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, who was first in line for punishment, 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 always do).

The American 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 American replied. "In
recognition of your kindness, my first wish is that you give me not 20, but 100
lashes."

Astonished, the Sheikh replied, "Not only are you an honorable man, you are also very brave. "If 100 lashes is what you desire, then so be it. And your second
wish, what is it to be?"

The American replied: "Tie the Frenchman to my back."