In front of a delicatessen, an art connoisseur noticed a mangy little kitten lapping up milk from a saucer. The saucer, he realized with a start, was a rare and precious piece of pottery.

He strolled into the store and offered two dollars for the cat. Its not for sale, said the proprietor.

Look, said the collector, that cat is dirty and undesirable, but Im eccentric. I like cats that way. Ill raise my offer to ten dollars.

Its a deal, said the proprietor, and pocketed the ten on the spot.

For that sum Im sure you wont mind throwing in the saucer, said the connoisseur. The kitten seems so happy drinking from it.

I wont do it, said the proprietor firmly.

Thats my lucky saucer. From that saucer, so far this week Ive sold 34 cats.