[Brian Cameron]

A farmer in a small town in Russia buys a cow from a herder who is driving his herd through the area. The herder informs him that the cow is originally from Minsk.

The farmer takes the cow home and puts her in the enclosure with his bull, and sits back to let nature take its course. In short order, the bull approaches the cow and begins to make amorous overtures, but each time the bull attempts to close the deal, the cow slips away, leaving the bull frustrated. This scene is repeated several times over the next few days.

The farmer, desperate to prevent his dream of raising his own herd from slipping away, consults the wisest man in the area, the town's rabbi. The rabbi sagely listens to the man's story, reflects thoughtfully for several minutes, and then asks,

"Is the cow by any chance from Minsk?"

Astonished, the farmer says "yes, but how did you know?"

The rabbi shakes his head ruefully and says "My wife is from Minsk".