A eunuch is leading a camel caravan across the Arabian Desert towards Mecca. Riding behind him on the leading camel is the great sheikh’s most favoured wife. The rest of the wives are on seven other camels behind.
“Stop the caravan!” number-one wife says to the eunuch. “We all need to pass water.”
“But I cannot look on while all you ladies urinate,” the eunuch says. “I’ve lost quite enough already to get this job. I don’t want to lose my head too!”
“Don’t worry”, the number-one wife says. “It will be impossible for you to see anything that could put you at risk. We know a way to do it safely.”
The harem all dismount, and form a circle, huddled close together and facing inwards, as they crouch to pee on the burning sands. The eunuch begins to need a pee himself and doesn’t know what to do. Then a Taureg on an Arab mare rides into sight. The eunuch stops the caravan, dismounts, and hails the newcomer.
“Excuse me, sir!” the eunuch cries, urgently. “Please dismount. I need to talk with you.”The Taureg duly gets down from his mare and the Eunuch starts to question him.
“How far is it to the next oasis?”
“Only three leagues,” says the Taureg.
“And, tell me, are there beautiful dancing girls there?”
“Yes, truly wonderful! The most alluring in all Arabia.”
“And tell me, are there sweet, succulent dates growing there?”
