GERMANY: Tears & Laughter

The most popular joke making the rounds last week in the land of Goethe and Krupp told of Konrad Adenauer, Chancellor of Germany, at prayer in his chapel. From the vaults below, he heard a German voice groaning: "Adenauer, Adenauer, save me." The Chancellor crossed himself and dug downwards towards the voice. In a pit strewn with ruins he found Germania crucified, and stooped to draw out the nails clamping his nation's feet to a cross made by the Allies. As the nails came loose, Germania sprang up, and with a mighty kick booted Adenauer out of the chapel.

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