The Optimist Farmer and The Pessimist Farmer
There were 2 farmers. One was a pessimist and the other was an optimist. When the sun was shining.. the optimist would say, "Wonderful sunshine," but the pessimist would respond, "Yeah, but I'm afraid it's going to scorch the crops." When it rained, the optimist would say, "Fine rain," but the pessimist would respond, "Yeah, but I'm afraid we're going to have a flood." One day the optimist said to the pessimist, "Have you seen my new bird dog? He's the finest money can buy." The pessimist said, "You mean that little mutt I saw penned up behind your house? He don't look like much to me." The optimist said, "Well, how about going hunting with me tomorrow?" The pessimist agreed.
They went and shot some ducks. The ducks landed in the pond. The optimist ordered his dog to go get the ducks. The dog obediently responded, but instead of swimming in the water, the dog walked on top of the water, retrieved the ducks and then walked back on top of the water. The optimist now turned confidently to his pessimist friend hoping that this would have impressed him. The determined pessimist replied, "hmm. . can't swim. can he?"
Originally published November 14, 2002.
