Dinner Conversation ~ Rachel Clare

August 30, 2009 | Filed Under Just Because, Mine | 6 Comments

(Last night at dinner…)

E: Mom, tell me a joke.
Me: Um, buddy? I’m not very good at telling jokes, and I’m not sure I know any that you don’t already know.
E: Well, then, just make one up.
Me: If I could make up good jokes just like that, I’d be the coolest person ever.
(…pause…)
Me: Okay. Here you go. A duck walks into a bar and says, “Hey, got any cherries?” The bartender says, “We don’t serve ducks here. Go away.” The duck leaves. The next day, the duck walks back into the bar and says, “Hey! Got any cherries??” The bartender says, “Listen DUCK, I told you yesterday we don’t serve ducks here! Go away!” The duck leaves. The next day, the duck walks back into the bar and says, “Hey!! Got any cherries?!” The bartender is angry and says, “GO AWAY! I’ve told you- we don’t serve ducks here! If you come back, I’m going to nail your feet to the floor!!” The duck walks out. The next day the duck walks into the bar and says, “Hey! Got any nails??”

E. erupts in laughter- hearty, guttural, cant-control-myself laughter.
I am pleased that I told such a great joke.

One minute later…
E: Mom, tell me again.
Me: The joke? Jokes are only funny the first time.
E: Please? Please just tell me. Okay- here. Just change the fruit.

JT and I burst into our own chorus of laughter after which I explain…
Me: Buddy, the punch line would still be the same, and that’s the funny part of the joke.
E: Okay, then change the punch line.
Me: I can’t do that! It’s what makes the joke so funny!
E: Yes you can- just do this: “Duck, get outta here or I’ll tape you to the wall!”
Me: Then what would the punch line be?
E: …Duck walks back into the bar and says, “Hey! Got any tape??”

And then proceeds to laugh and laugh at his new joke.

Thought I was going to wet my pants.