Stumpy and his wife Martha went to the Country Fair every year. Every year, Stumpy would say, “Martha, I’d like to ride in that there air plane.”

And every year Martha would say, “I know, Stumpy, but that air plane ride costs ten dollars, and ten dollars is ten dollars.”

Then one year Stumpy and Martha went to the fair and Stumpy said, “Martha, I’m 71 years old. If I don’t ride that air plane this year, I may never get another chance.”

Martha replied, “Stumpy, that there air plane ride costs ten dollars, and ten dollars is ten dollars.”

The pilot overheard them and said, “Folks, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take you both up for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say a word, I won’t charge you. But if you say one word, it’s ten dollars.”

Stumpy and Martha agreed and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of twists and turns, rolls and dives, but not a word or a squeal was to be heard. He did all his tricks over again, but still not a word or sound was heard.

They landed and the pilot turned to Stumpy, “By golly, I did everything I could think of to get you to yell out, but you didn’t. I can’t charge you the ten dollars. The ride is free.”