A new recruit to the army of a "banana republic" was told that since there were not enough rifles and bayonets to go around, he would have to simulate their use. After being given a broomstick, he was shown that by going "bang, bang" or "stab, stab" an enemy would fall down as if dead. It worked in training until one opponent refused to cooperate after repeated "bang, bangs" and "stab, stabs." As the recruit was knocked down and stomped in the dust, he heard the enemy say "tank, tank."

Return to the story list