Well, it seems that these three fellows, an American, a German and a
[ethnic], are about to be executed in front of a firing squad. As the
final hour approachs, each man is trying to think of a way to escape his
inevitable doom. The time comes for the execution and the American is
brought first in front of the firing squad. As the blindfold is being tied
around his head, he decides that he will attempt his escape by diverting
the attention of his executioners at the final moment, and then running
away.

The officer in charge of the executions starts his countdown: 10, 9, 8,……

Just before the officer reaches 1, the American shouts,
Flood!

Startled, all of the gunmen look up from their rifles and turn around
searching for the onrush of water. In all of this confusion, the American
manages to take off his blindfold and run away. By the time the
executioners are aware of what happened, the American has made his way deep
into the woods. And, of course, for the purposes of this joke, no attempt
is made to catch the runaway.

The German is called on next to appear before the squad. Seeing the
Americans success, the German decides to attempt a similar escape. He
knows, though, that his executioners will not fall for the flood trick
Again. Instead, he decides to use another natural disaster.

The officer in charge of the executions starts his countdown: 10, 9, 8,
……

Just before the officer reaches 1, the German shouts,
Hurricane! Startled, all of the gunmen look up from their rifles
and turn around searching for the onrush of wind. In all of the confusion,
the German manages to take off his blindfold and run away. By the time the
executioners are aware of what happened, the German has made his way deep
into the woods. Again, of course, for the purposes of this joke, no
attempt is made to catch the runaway.

The [ethnic] is called on next to appear before the squad. Seeing his
predecessors successes, the [ethnic] decides to attempt a similar escape.
He knows, though, that his executioners will not fall for the flood or
the hurricane tricks again. Instead, he decides to use another natural
disaster.

The officer in charge of the executions starts his countdown: 10, 9, 8,

…… Just before the officer reaches 1, the [ethnic] shouts, Fire!