While visiting India, George Bush is invited
to tea with Abdul Kalam.
He asks Kalam what his leadership philosophy is.
He says that, it is to surround himself with
intelligent people.
Bush asks how he knows if they're intelligent.
"I do so by asking them the right questions," says
Kalam. "Allow me to demonstrate."
Bush watches as Kalam phones Manmohan Singh and says,
"Mr. Prime Minister, please answer this question:
Your mother has a child, and your father has a child,
and this child is not your brother or sister. Who is it?"
Manmohan immediately responds,
"It's me, Sir !"
"Correct. Thank you and
good-bye" says Kalam. He hangs
up and says," Did you get that, Mr. Bush?"
Bush nods: "Yes Mr. President. Thanks a lot.
I'll definitely be using that!"
Bush, upon returning to Washington, decides
he'd better put Condoleezza Rice to the test.
Bush summons her to the White House and says,
"Condoleezza, I wonder if you can answer a question for me."
"Why, of course, sir. What's on your mind?"
Bush poses the question: "Uhh, your mother has a
child, and your father has a child, and this child is not
your brother or your sister. Who is it?"
Rice was puzzled and finally asks, "Can I think about
it and get back to you?" Bush agrees, and Rice leaves.
Rice immediately calls a meeting of senior senators,
and they puzzle over the question for several
hours,
but nobody can come up with an answer. Finally,
in desperation,
Rice calls
Colin Powell
and explains the problem.
"Mr. Powell, your mother has a child, and your father
has a child, and this child is not your brother or your sister.
Who is it?"
Powell answers immediately, "It's me, of course."
Much relieved, Rice rushes back to the White House,
finds George Bush, and exclaims,
"I know the answer, sir! I know
who it is!
It's our Colin Powell!"
And Bush replies in disgust, "Wrong,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
it's Manmohan Singh!"
