The Jewish Tie Salesman & the Terrorist

A fleeing terrorist, desperate for water, was plodding through the Afghan desert  when he saw something far off in the distance.  Hoping to find water, he hurried toward the oasis, only to find a l little old Jewish man at a small stand, selling ties.

The terrorist asked, "Do you have water?"

The Jewish man replied, "I have no water.  Would you like to buy a tie?   They are only $25."

The irate terrorist shouted, "You Idiot!  I do not need an over-priced tie!  I need water! I should kill you, but I must find water first!"

"OK," said the little old Jewish man, "It does not matter that you do not want to buy a tie and that you hate me.  I will show you that I am bigger than that.  If you continue over that hill to the east for about two miles, you will find a lovely restaurant. It has all the ice cold water you need.  Shalom."

Cursing, the terrorist staggered away over the hill. Several hours later he staggered back, almost dead, and said: 

"Your brother won't let me in without a tie."

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Moral:

If you don't ask the right question, you will never get the right answer.

The question was not "where can I find water."  The haberdasher answered that question.

The question should have been "how can I get the water I need?"  The haberdasher did not answer how to get the water (by wearing a tie), which is what the terrorist really wanted to know, but didn't have sense to ask for.