Based on an old, unattributed joke!

Job Application

Now it came to pass that two siblings,
Were looking for gainful employ,
And they came to the site of a builder,
Who was hiring, to their utmost joy.

Jim and John looked for the man
And the builder looked back with derision.
He said "Best speak to my foreman,
As he'll make the final decision."

Now the foreman spoke to the brothers
And said "We want only the best.
So, if you want to work for us,
You must pass a simple test."

The foreman beckoned to Jim,
And took him in a shed.
"Two answers will I need from you,
If you want to earn your bread".

"If I put out your eye, today,
Tell me, what would you be?"
"Well, I would surely be half blind!"
Jim shouted out with glee.

"And if I put out the other?
What would be the score?"
"Well then I would be fully blind,
And I can say no more."

The foreman hired Jim
And then he sent for John.
But when Jim passed his brother,
He passed the answers on.

The foreman smiled and said to John
"Now listen up, my son.
If I struck off one of your ears,
What would you then become?"

John pondered and he answered
"Well, I would be half blind."
"And if I removed the other ear
What is it you would find?"

John thought again, a moment,
"I'd be fully blind, good sir."
The foreman shook his head at John
And said "I must demur."

"How can it be that losing ears,
Can so affect your sight?
If you want to work for me,
Convince me that you're right."

"Well, I thought that's obvious!"
John shouted with a frown.
"If you chop me ears off, then over me eyes
Me hat would then fall down!"

Now it came to pass that two siblings,
Were looking for gainful employ,
And they both passed the test that was set,
And were paid, to their utmost joy.


Penned by my hand on the 12th of Phaestian, in the year 376 AF.