An old farmer had owned a large farm for many years. He had a huge man-made pond out back with a beautiful picnic area, for years it was the perfect place to unwind or hold a family get-together.

As the farmer grew older, his "Oasis" was used less and less. It eventually became the local swimming hole and
while his neighbors occasionally took advantage of the pond, he rarely made an appearance.

One evening the old farmer decided to go down to the pond. He hadn't been there in a while and felt the urge to pay a visit to check on things.

As he neared the pond, he heard loud playful voices giggling and laughing. As he came closer he was astonished to see that a bunch of young women had decided to skinny
dip in his pond.

He made the women aware of his presence and they all went to the deep end of the pond. One of the women shouted to him, "We're not coming out until you leave!"

The old man replied, "I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim or make you get out of the pond naked. I'm here to feed the alligator."

Good one!!! Smart old man!

Marshall,

It seems that in the arena of storytelling, farmers (and they always seem to be old farmers) sure get a lot of credit for being a lot smarter/wiser than your average traveling salesman, young professional, and/or just about everyone else.....particularly those city slickers. And I'd have to say it's justified, at least that's what my Dad, the old farmer, told me.

Dan