A nun is walking by a riverside. She sees a little boy fishing near a dam, and walks up to him. There’s a bucket next to the boy, containing a fish the boy just caught.
The nun asks the boy, “little boy, what kind of fish is that ?”.
The boy replies, “It’s a goddam fish ma’am !”
The nun is astonished, and says, “you can’t use that profane language near me ! I’m a nun !”
Boy says, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. See, I just call it a goddam fish because God created it, and I caught it near the dam. Hence, a god-dam fish.”
The nun’s face clears up, “ooo what a beautiful analogy, I’m glad you appreciate the good Lord’s work !”
As a goodbye gift, the boy gives the fish to the nun.
The nun walks back to the ministry. Upon arrival, she sees Mother Superior sitting in the yard.
“Mother Superior, I brought us a fish for dinner !”
M.S. replies, “O good, we’ve got the Priest coming over for dinner tonight. That fish will come in handy. What sort of fish is it ?”
The nun says it’s a god-dam fish. Of course, Mother Superior nearly faints, “Sister Mary ! How dare you use that foul language on these premises ! This is a HOLY place !”
“No, no, you don’t understand”, the nun replies, and proceeds to explain the nature of the name “god-dam” fish as elaborated upon by the fisher boy.
Mother Superior, too, is delighted by such creative use of words, and is at ease again.
That night, the Priest visits the ministry for dinner. He is shown to his seat, and after the wine is poured, he is offered the fish by Mother Superior.
The Priest says, “O good ! I love fish. Say, what kind of fish is this ?”
Mother Superior explains, “It’s a GODDAM fish !”
The Priest replies, laughingly, “I’m glad we’re loosening up a bit around here ! Now could someone please pass me the fucking butter ?”
Coldfire
“You know how complex women are”
- Neil Peart, Rush (1993)