It was a bitter cold winter's day, a very long time ago when knighthood was in flower, as the saying goes. Sir Galahad, the pride of King Arthur's round table, set forth on a mission of derring-do.
The weather turned worse and soon the light snow grew to blizzard proportions. Galahad's horse, stumbling and exhausted, might have collapsed in another minute, but fortunately toward nightfall they came across Shapiro's tavern. Grateful for this unexpected sanctuary, Sir Galahad rushed inside and warmed himself by the fire. His horse, poor creature, was bedded in the stable, safe at last from the howling elements.
"Mr. Shapiro," said the knight, "if you will provide me with another horse I will be on my way."
"What's the big rush in such rotten weather?" Shapiro wanted to know. "I'm thinking of slaying a dragon," answered Sir Galahad. "I'll save you some of the meat."
"Feh! Dragon flesh my people don't eat! But no matter, a horse I haven't got for you anyway."
"But I'm a bold knight," protested Sir Galahad. "If you haven't a horse for me, how about that big Saint Bernard lying there by the fire? A dog that size should be able to carry me easily."
"Sir Galahad," thundered Shapiro indignantly, "I wouldn't even consider sending a knight out on a dog like this!"
—Encyclopedia of Jewish Humor From Biblical Times to the Modern Age, ed. Henry D. Spalding (NY: Jonathan David, 1979), p. 131
