Don't Try to Mess with a Cowboy

A young, well-educated man on a business trip gets on a plane to find

himself seated next to an older, weathered man in a western snap shirt,
faded jeans, a cowboy hat and pointed toed boots.

Thinking himself above the old cowboy, the young man decides to make sport of
him.

"You know," he says, "I've heard these flights go much more quickly if
you strike up a conversation with a fellow passenger. So, let's talk."

The cowboy looks at him wryly and says, "Well I s'pose that'd be all
right. What'd ya like to discuss?"

"Oh, I don't know, "says the young man with a hint of sarcasm, "How
about nuclear proliferation?"

"Hmm," says the cowboy, sensing the young man's attempt to belittleÂ
him, "That could be an interesting topic. But , let me ask you a question
first -- horses, cows, and deer all eat the same stuff---grass. Yet, a deer
passes little pellets, a cow turns out a flat patty, and a horse makes
muffins of dried poop. Why do you suppose that is?"

Dumbfounded, the young man replies, "I haven't the slightest idea."

"So tell me then," says the cowboy with a smile, "How is it that you
feel qualified to discuss nukes when you don't know shit?"