Bob was showing off his hunting dog to his friend Bill. They went down towards a lake and Bob said to the dog, "How many ducks are there boy?" The dog raced off to the lake, came back a couple of minutes later, and barked twice. Seconds later, two ducks floated into view.

"That was unbelievable, can he do it again?" Bill asked. "Sure", responded Bob, "how many ducks are there boy?" The dog raced off again, came back, and barked four times. Four ducks flew in and landed on the pond.

"I have to have that dog," Bill said, "I'll give you $5000 and all of my hunting dogs." They agreed to the deal, and Bill took the dog home to show off to his wife. Bill and his wife took his new dog down to the lake and Bill said, "How many ducks are there boy?" The dog raced off, came back, grabbed a stick, shook it, and threw it over his shoulder.

"Bob gypped you," his wife said "You are such a fool." Bill protested, "But I saw it work, let me try again. How many ducks are there boy?" Again the dog raced off, came back, grabbed a stick, shook it, and threw it over his shoulder.

"Oh my" Bill said, "this dog is useless."

Then, after selling the dog, he went back and told the story to Bob. After hearing that Bill had sold the dog, Bob cried "YOU FOOL! That dog was telling you that there were more ducks than you could shake a stick at!"