I'm Fine

John Smith, a farmer from a western state, decided the injuries he received during a vehicle accident earlier in the year were now serious enough to sue the trucking company responsible for the accident.  When his case went to court, the lawyer for the trucking firm began questioning Mr.  Smith.

"Mr. Smith, for the record didn't you state at the scene of the accident that you felt fine and had absolutely no pain?"

''Well yes, but let me explain, I was towing my trailer with my mule Bessie in the t ----"

''I didn't ask you for any details of the accident, Mr. Smith,'' the lawyer interrupted.  "Just answer my question.  Did you, or did you not, tell the deputy sheriff who reported to the scene of the accident that you were fine?"

''Well yes, but you see as I drove the trailer ----''  

 

"Your Honor, I am trying to establish the fact that at the scene of the accident this farmer told a sheriff's deputy that he was just fine.  Now several months later, he is suing my client, a reputable and upstanding businessman in this community, a firm that not only serves other local businesses but also a firm that provides numerous jobs to our neighbors, friends, and residents of our community.  Your Honor, I believe this man is a fraud and ask you to direct him to answer my question."

 

The Judge, an acquaintance of Mr. Smith, seemed  interested in what he had to say and overrode the trucking firm's attorney's concerns and instructed Mr. Smith to proceed with his reply.  ''Thank you Judge," said Mr. Smith.

"Well as I was saying, I was towing my trailer with Bessie, my mule, in it.  We were heading to the veterinarian's office when a huge semi-truck ran a stop sign and broad-sided my pickup.  I was thrown into the ditch on one side of the road and old Bessie was thrown clear across the road into the other ditch.

As I laid there on the side of the road, I was hurting real bad; the pain was unbearable and I couldn’t move.  I could hear ol' Bessie moaning across the road and knew she was in terrible shape.  Within minutes, a deputy sheriff arrived at the scene. The deputy heard Bessie's moaning and immediately went over to her.  As he looked at her, he saw the pain she was experiencing .  Without any warning he took out his gun and shot her right there on the road.  He shot her right between the eyes.

After he shot Bessie, the deputy then started walking towards me.  When he got next to me, with his gun still in his hand, he knelt down, looked me straight in the eyes and said, 'Mister, your mule was in bad shape; she was in a lot of pain. I had no choice but to put her out of her misery.  Now tell me old timer how are you feeling?' 

Well your Honor, I was scared; what could I tell him? I had to tell him I was fine."