Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 September 1902 — Wit of the Shah. [ARTICLE]

Wit of the Shah.

When the late shah of Persia visited London some years ago the following incident occurred: “At an exhibition in London,” wrote the late shah, “the picture of a donkey was shown and I asked the price of it. The director of the exhibition, a fat, whitebearded man, who gave information about the prices, told me it was £IOO. I remarked: ‘The value of a live donkey is £5. How is it then that this, which is but the picture of an ass, is to be paid so dearly for?’ The director said: ‘Because it is not a source of expense, as it eats neither straw nor barley,’ I replied: ‘True, it is not a source of outlay, but neither will it carry a load or give one a ride.’ We laughed heartily."