The Salesman and the Navajo
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 12:21 pm
A salesman working the ranches in the southwest was on his way back to town one evening, when a terrible thunder storm broke. With his windshield wipers unable to keep up with the deluge, blinded by lightning, he took a wrong turn. After a short while he became aware that he was lost, that the ranch road he was on was nothing but a trail, and he'd likely get stuck in the mud if he tried to turn around. So, ever so carefully, he kept going, hoping that the trail would take him to a ranch.
After some time he thought he could make out a light in the distance, off to the side. Continuing slowly he saw a trail that turned off toward the pinpoint of light, and took it. To his great relief he came up to a small dwelling with adjoining corral with a horse and a sheep. He was greeted by a dog, followed by an old Navajo, who bade him come in, pointed to the lone chair at the small table, and got busy at the small fire burning on the hearth. Soon he presented the traveler with a steaming mug of tea, a plate of beans and fry bread, and sat down on his cot with a mug himself.
Having finished his meal, the salesman wanted to make conversation after the manner of his people, but the man only grunted in response, and finally answered:"White man talk too much." "Well, Chief, you seem to be a man of few words", replied the salesman, "can I talk to your dog?" "Hah",came the reply, "animal no talk. Go talk dog."
Being a ventriloquist, the salesman addressed the dog: "Say feller, how's your life here. Does your master treat you well?" "Life here pretty good. Him good boss. Leave some meat on bone. No kick me. Take me hunt long ear.", answered the dog. The Indian made not response. Seeing the horse come up to the open window, the salesman renewed his effort to entertain the old Navajo. "Mind if I talk to your horse, Chief?" "Talk horse," came the answer, "horse no talk". So the fellow addressed the horse as he had the dog. And the horse replied as had the dog. "Him pretty good fellow, no ride me hard, never use spurs. Always give me plenty water, make sure I have plenty grass." Still, no response. "Well", said the salesman, spotting the sheep in the corral, "mind if I talk to your sheep?" At that the old Indian came alive. "No!", he shouted, "no talk sheep. Sheep tell lies."
After some time he thought he could make out a light in the distance, off to the side. Continuing slowly he saw a trail that turned off toward the pinpoint of light, and took it. To his great relief he came up to a small dwelling with adjoining corral with a horse and a sheep. He was greeted by a dog, followed by an old Navajo, who bade him come in, pointed to the lone chair at the small table, and got busy at the small fire burning on the hearth. Soon he presented the traveler with a steaming mug of tea, a plate of beans and fry bread, and sat down on his cot with a mug himself.
Having finished his meal, the salesman wanted to make conversation after the manner of his people, but the man only grunted in response, and finally answered:"White man talk too much." "Well, Chief, you seem to be a man of few words", replied the salesman, "can I talk to your dog?" "Hah",came the reply, "animal no talk. Go talk dog."
Being a ventriloquist, the salesman addressed the dog: "Say feller, how's your life here. Does your master treat you well?" "Life here pretty good. Him good boss. Leave some meat on bone. No kick me. Take me hunt long ear.", answered the dog. The Indian made not response. Seeing the horse come up to the open window, the salesman renewed his effort to entertain the old Navajo. "Mind if I talk to your horse, Chief?" "Talk horse," came the answer, "horse no talk". So the fellow addressed the horse as he had the dog. And the horse replied as had the dog. "Him pretty good fellow, no ride me hard, never use spurs. Always give me plenty water, make sure I have plenty grass." Still, no response. "Well", said the salesman, spotting the sheep in the corral, "mind if I talk to your sheep?" At that the old Indian came alive. "No!", he shouted, "no talk sheep. Sheep tell lies."
