A farmer and his wife were visited by her mother, who insisted on a tour of the place after she arrived. When they were walking through the barn, the farmers mule suddenly reared up and kicked the mother-in-law in the head, killing her instantly.

At the funeral service a few days later, the farmer stationed himself at the casket and greeted friends and family as they walked by. The pastor noticed that, whenever a woman would whisper something to the farmer, he would nod his head, Yes. Whenever a man walked by and whispered to the farmer, he would shake his head, No.

The pastor noticed this happened without fail, Yes to women, No to men. He asked the farmer after the service what that was all about.

The farmer replied, The women would say, What a terrible tragedy and I would nod my head and say, Yes, it is. The men would ask, Want to sell that mule?, and I would shake my head and say, Not on your life.