It seems that a Maharajah was getting on in years, and he wanted
something impressive to leave as his legacy. Not a temple or a fancy
tomb, but something that would improve the lot of his people.

After considerable research and investigation, he settled on a
hydro-electric irrigation project. Monumental, but still useful. He
hired Joe Smith as the Project Engineer

A couple of years later, when the project was nearly complete, Joe
looked up from his desk just at a Sikh bodyguard walked into the
construction shack. Six foot six, white turban, black beard, curved
sword. Easy to recognize. He introduced himself as an emissary of the
Maharajah, and held out a HUGE diamond.

"The Maharajah and Maharani are very pleased with your project, and they
would like you to accept this diamond as a token of their appreciation."

Joe was floored. He stammered a bit, and then explained that the fees
and bonuses that he was receiving were more than adequate, and that he
couldn't possibly accept anything so valuable as the diamond.

About two months later, when everything had been wrapped up and Joe was
preparing to leave, the same guy showed up in the construction shack.
Six foot six, white turban, black beard, curved sword, and this time he
has a double handful of rubies.

"The Maharajah understands that a diamond my be difficult to dispose of.
Perhaps these rubies would be more appropriate."

This time Joe thought about it for a minute and suggested, "Look, I'll
tell you what. When I get back to the States I intend to play some golf.
I'd really like a set of matched golf clubs. Dynamically balanced. I'd
never buy them for myself, but I'd use them and enjoy them, and I think
that would be an appropriate personal gift.

The Sikh bodyguard repeated, "A set of matched golf clubs. Thank you
Sahib, I will tell the Maharajah."

Six months later Joe was buried in a new project. Of course he hadn't
gotten around to playing any golf. Somebody walked into his cubicle, and
he looked up and recognized the Sikh bodyguard. Six foot six, white
turban, black beard, still wearing the curved sword.

"The Maharaja would like to apologize for taking so long to get the
matched golf clubs that you wanted.

You see, two of them don't have swimming pools."

Index