The Lassoed Bear

A hunter who had lassoed a bear was struggling to free himself from the rope. The slipknot around his wrist would not yield, as the bear continuously pulled in the slack with its paws. In the midst of his trouble, the hunter noticed a showman passing by and managed to attract his attention.

"What will you give me for my bear?" the hunter asked.

"It will be some five or ten minutes before I need a fresh bear," replied the showman. "It looks to me like prices will fall during that time. I think I'll wait and watch the market."

"The price of this animal is down to bedrock," the hunter insisted. "You can have him for nothing a pound, spot cash, and I'll even throw in the next one that I lasso. But the purchaser must remove the goods from the premises immediately to make room for three man-eating tigers, a cat-headed gorilla, and an armful of rattlesnakes."

Despite the enticing offer, the showman passed on, lost in thought and fancy-free. Shortly after, he was joined by the bear, who was absently picking its teeth, suggesting that they were not unfamiliar with each other.