While visiting India , George Bush is invited to tea with Abdul Kalam. He
asks Kalam what his leadership philosophy is. He says that, it is to
surround himself with intelligent people.
Bush asks how he knows if they’re intelligent.
“I do so by asking them the right questions,” says the Kalam.
“Allow me to demonstrate.”
Bush watches as Kalam phones Manmohan Singh and says, “Mr. Prime Minister,
please answer this
question: your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this
child is not your brother or sister. Who is it?”
Manmohan immediately responds, “It’s me, Sir !”
“Correct. Thank you and good-bye, sir,” says the Kalam. He hangs up and
says, “Did you get that, Mr. Bush?” Bush nods: “Yes Mr. President. Thanks a
lot. I’ll definitely be using that!” Bush, upon returning to Washington ,
decides he’d better put the Condoleeza Rice to the test. Bush summons her
to the White House and says, “Condoleeza,
I wonder if you can answer a question for me.”
“Why, of course, sir. What’s on your mind?”
Bush poses the question: “Uhh, your mother has a child, and your father
has a child, and this child is not your brother or your sister. Who is it?”
Rice was puzzled and finally asks, “Can I think about it and get back to
you?” Bush agrees, and Rice leaves. Rice
immediately calls a meeting of senior senators, and they puzzle over the
question for several hours, but nobody can
come up with an answer. Finally, in desperation, Rice calls Colin Powell
and explains the problem.
“Mr. Powell, your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and
this child is not your brother or your sister. Who is it?”
Powell answers immediately, “It’s me, of course.”
Much relieved, Rice rushes back to the White House, finds George Bush, and
exclaims, “I know the answer, sir! I know who it is! It’s our Colin
Powell!”
And Bush replies in disgust, “Wrong, its Manmohan Singh!”
