My Wanderings - 12

Humour and Satire are usually considered  interrelated terms. But there is a vivid difference between the two. Humour is generalised term while Satire is directed towards a particular event , person or a subject. Mark Twain, an English writer and humorist has contributed much to classical Humour and Satire by writing his books like" Adventures of Tom Sawyer "and "Adventures of Huckleberry fin".   Healthy dose of humour is now considered very good for health which can also  give a  new lease of life to the patients of depression and other psychological diseases. Laughing has been recognised as a  therapy and lot of laughing sessions can be witnessed these days in various public places and parks. Quick wit  and humour is also  considered  as a  good quality of a person. Some of the eminent personalities like George Bernard shah, Winston Churchill and Chesterton were known for their quick wit and humour.

Once a person who had recently learned voilon compelled George Bernard Shah to witness his performance. After completing his performance the violinist asked for the opinion of George Bernard Shah.
" This reminds me of Leo Tolstoy" , opined   Bernard Shah.
" But. he was not a Violinist", retorted violinist.
" Neither are you" ,replied Bernard Shah.

Bernard Shah was a thin man. Once his friend Chesterton, who was a little bulky told him that if a foreigner visits London and encounters you, he will form the opinion that London is recovering from recent famine. 'But after meeting  you he will learn the cause of famine in London," replied the Bernard Shah.

Once a beautiful actress of London proposed to Bernard Shah for marriage giving reasons that children they may have after marriage will have  his  wisdom   and  her  looks.
But reverse is also possible if they had your wisdom and my looks, commented the Bernard Shah.

Once Winston Churchill  as Prime Minister of Britain  was walking on a small passage when he encountered leader of opposition of British parliament. Only one person could walk on the passage. Leader of opposition did not relent and said, " I don't give way to fools".
Winston Churchill immediately moved back and replied, " But I give way to fools"

Once British parliment was in full swing. There was hue and cry as usual in parliaments. No body was listening to anyone. A member was trying to put forth his point of view. He began several times by saying I conceive , I conceive, I conceive. But no body was paying heed to him. When Winston Churchill noticed this, He said in a loud voice, silence, Gentleman," Mr So and So conceived three times but delivered nothing."

Khushwant Singh, an imminent Indian English writer of " Train to Pakistan" fame has also contributed a lot to humour by compiling thousand of jokes. It will be worthwhile here to mention one of his jokes in order to conclude my write up.
Once Morarji Desai as Prime Minister of India was invited to London to attend Commonwealth meet along with other heads of states. One head of the state early in the morning  accidentally entered Morar ji's room in a hotel , where the later was staying. He saw Morarji with a glass of whisky. He said to Morar ji, " sir you start it early in the morning". No Morarji replied, " it is not what you are thinking about". It is a natural product and very good for health. Morarji confided with the other head of state the secret of the exhilarating drink, he was having.
One day the Head of the state in question hosted a dinner in the honour of heads of the states of other Commonwealth countries. When Morarji arrived at the dinner, he found a big glass of whisky in front of his table. Morarji was upset and told to his host that I had already confided to you that I don't drink." No Sir", the host replied, " It is not Whisky, it is "Queens Special " brought fresh for  you direct from Buckingham palace.