An Internet Joke

Someone emailed this joke to me. You can always take it at face value, or maybe you'll find a hidden truth. :)

Intelligence

One fine day, the Ruler of a multi-cultural southeast Asian country visited the Queen of England. The Ruler, Mr. NJ, asked the British Queen "How is it that you are able maintain your sovereignty and societal peace in Britain so effectively?"

The Queen, in all her elegance, replied "I surround myself with able and intelligent people."

Mr. NJ was puzzled. "How would you know if someone is intelligent or not?"

With a flourish, the Queen summoned the then-British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, into the room.

"Mr. Blair, if one day your mother and your father gave birth to somebody, who isn't your brother or your sister, who is that person?"

Tony Blair confidently answered "Why, that would be me, of course!"

Mr. NJ later left the meeting feeling very enlightened.

The next day, Mr. NJ sent for the Deputy Ruler, Mr. MH. Putting on a serious face, Mr. NJ asked the deputy, "Mr. MH, if one day your mother and your father gave birth to somebody, who isn't your brother or your sister, who is that person?"

Mr. MH was absolutely dumbfounded. After racking his brain for a full 30 minutes, Mr. MH gave up and cried out "Please give me some time to research upon this intriguing question!"

Mr. NJ decided to give his deputy 3 days.

For 2 days and 2 nights, Mr. MH went through Wikipedia, the world's most trusted source for factual accurate information, but to no avail.

On the third day, Mr. MH dragged his feet reluctantly to the Ruler's office, afraid of the repercussions that awaited him. 15 minutes before he was to enter the office he decided to go to the gents.

By stroke of luck, as he was entering the washroom, he met a disgraced politician once involved in a sex-scandal, Mr. SL. Taking a chance, Mr. MH asked Mr. SL the same question.

"Mr. SL, if one day your mother and your father gave birth to somebody, who isn't your brother or your sister, who is that person?"

With no difficulty, Mr. SL answered confidently, "Why, obviously, it's me!"

Mr. MH could not believe his luck! He emerged from the washroom a joyful man! With springing steps, he headed towards the Ruler's office.

Mr. NJ was sitting at his desk when Mr. MH entered. Looking up from his game of computer Solitaire, Mr. NJ addressed Mr. MH.

"Have you the solution for my question?"

Mr. MH, beaming with pride, answered "The answer to that question is --- MR. SL!"

However, instead of the expected praise, Mr. MH was surprised to find Mr. NJ getting agitated.

"Wrong, wrong, wrong!" screamed Mr. NJ, "I gave you three days, and all the country's multimedia resources, plus a salary increment and a RESEARCH BUDGET of 5 MILLION USD, and you CAN'T EVEN GIVE ME THE CORRECT ANSWER?!"

Mr. MH cowered silently in the corner.

Mr. NJ continued ranting, "Even after ALL THE TENDERED PROJECTS AWARDED TO YOUR BROTHER'S BANKRUPT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY!!!... TRAVEL ALLOWANCE!!!... SIPHON!.... GST!.... TAXATION!.... blahblahblahillegalstuffblahblahblah!!!..."

This went on and on until Mr. NJ was eventually out of breath.

Exhausted, Mr. NJ decided to drop the issue. "Mr. MH, I will not punish you any further, for we are of the same, plus there was no significant monetary loss on our part."

Mr. MH was delighted and absolutely relieved!

Taking a deep breath, Mr. MH gathered up the courage to ask the Ruler, "Your Excellency, in all due respect, what could the answer be to this very confounding question? If one day your mother and your father gave birth to somebody, who isn't your brother or your sister, who is that person?""

Mr. NJ sitting straight-backed on the country's leather throne, stared at Mr. MH with eyes that shone with an unworldly intelligence, his presence stifling.

"The answer, my simple minded friend, is easy. The answer is....... Tony Blair."