An American General, a Russian General and a British General are

standing on the deck of a ship watching war exercises. (OK, OK, so

this is an old one..) The topic of discussion turns to human courage,

and the Russian General boasts, "Russians are the most courageous

people on Earth!"

Upon which the American (naturally) challenges him: "Oh YEAH?"

The Russian says, "Sure! Here, Yuri! Jump off the deck (into the

freezing Atlantic) and swim around the ship!"

Yuri marches off without a word, and does as he is told. The Russian

turns around and says: "See, there's an example of courage!"

The American *has* to top this, so he calls up one of his underlings

and gives him the order:

"Jack, Jump off the main mast into the ocean, and swim around the ship

seven times!"

Poor Jack goes off without a murmur, and he too does as he is told. The

American General says: "Now top *that* for courage!"

So they both turn around to the British General who has been standing

around watching these antics silently. They ask him: "What about

*your* people?"

So the British guy calls up one of his people and says: "Trevor, jump

off the mast and swim under the keel of the ship, will you, old chap?"

Trevor stares at his general.

"Let me get this right. You want me to jump off the mast."

"Yes."

"And swim under the keel"

"Yes."

"You must be daft!"

And so saying, Trevor turns around and saunters off. Whereupon the

British General turns to the other two and says,

"Now *there*'s an example of TRUE courage!"