Farmer Joe decided his injuries from the accident
were serious enough to take the trucking company
(responsible for the accident) to court. In court the
trucking companies fancy lawyer was questioning
farmer Joe. Didn't you say, at the scene of the
accident, "I'm fine," said the lawyer.

Farmer Joe responded, "Well I'll tell you what
happened. I had just loaded my favorite mule Bessie
into the......."

"I didn't ask for any details," the lawyer
interrupted, "just answer the question." "Did you not
say, at the scene of the accident, 'I'm fine!'"

Farmer Joe said, "Well I had just got Bessie into the
trailer and I was driving down the road..."

The lawyer interrupted again and said, "Judge, I am
trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of
the accident, this man told the Highway Patrolman on
the scene that he was just fine. Now several weeks
after the accident he is trying to sue my client." I
believe he is a fraud. Please tell him to simply
answer the question."

By this time the Judge was fairly interested in
Farmer Joe's answer and said to the lawyer, "I'd like
to hear what he has to say about his favorite mule
Bessie."

Joe thanked the Judge and proceeded, "Well as I was
saying, I had just loaded Bessie, my favorite mule,
into the trailer and was driving her down the highway
when this huge semi-truck and trailer ran the stop
sign and smacked my truck right in the side. I was
thrown into one ditch and Bessie was thrown into the
other. I was hurting real bad and didn't want to
move. However, I could hear ole Bessie moaning and
groaning. I knew she was in terrible shape just by
her groans. Shortly after the accident a Highway
Patrolman came on the scene. He could hear Bessie
moaning and groaning so he went over to her. After he
looked at her he took out his gun and shot her
between the eyes. Then the Patrolman came across the
road with his gun in his hand and looked at me. He
said, "Your mule was in such bad shape I had to shoot
her. How are you feeling?"