< 1 min read
In Tsarist Russia a Jew is sitting in a train compartment opposite a Russian officer. The Jew takes out a piece of herring and starts snacking. The Russian officer moves closer and asks, "Why are you Jews so smart?"
The Jew replies, "The answer is simple -- it's because we eat so much herring."
The Russian officer shakes his head quizzically: "Herring?!" But after thinking for a few moments he says, "Perhaps you could sell me some of that herring. How much do you want for it?"
The Jew replies, "Give me 50 rubles."
The Russian officer says: "That's a lot of money but if I become smart then it will be worth it."
The train moves on after about an hour the officer pipes up and says, "Just a minute. That piece of herring is only worth 5 rubles, why did I pay 50 rubles?"
The Jew smiles and raises his finger and says: "Aha! See -- it's working already."