Once upon a time there was a king who wanted to go fishing.


He called the royal weather forecaster and inquired as to the weather forecast for the next few hours.
The weatherman assured him that there was no chance of rain in the coming days.


So the king went fishing, and on the way he met a farmer on his donkey.
The farmer said, "Your Majesty, you should return to the palace at once because in just a short time I expect a huge amount of rain to fall in this area".


The king was polite and considerate and replied: "I hold the palace meteorologist in high regard. He is an extensively educated and experienced professional. And besides, I pay him very high wages. He gave me a very different forecast. I trust him and I will continue on my way."


A short time later there was torrential rain, soaking the King.


Furious, he returned to the palace and gave the order to fire the professional. He summoned the farmer and offered him the prestigious and highly paid role of royal forecaster.


The farmer said, "Your Majesty, I do not know anything about forecasting. I obtain my information from my donkey. If I see my donkey's ears drooping, it means with certainty that it will rain."


So the king hired the donkey.


Thus began the practice of hiring dumb asses to work in the government and occupy its highest and most influential positions.


The practice is unbroken to this day .