[Luckyus]

Strangers At The Aiport​

Three strangers strike up a conversation in the airport passenger lounge in

Calgary, Alberta, while awaiting their respective flights.

One is a native Indian from the Sarcee Reservation. Another is a cowboy on

his way to Vancouver for a livestock auction. The third passenger is a

fundamentalist Arab student newly arrived at the University of Calgary from

the Middle East.

Their discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon, the two Albertans

learn that the Arab is a devout, radical Muslim and the conversation

falls into an uneasy lull. The cowboy leans back in his chair, crosses his

boots on a magazine table and tips his big sweat-stained hat forward

over his face. The wind outside is blowing tumbleweeds around, and the old

windsock is flapping, but still no plane comes.

To break the silence, the Indian clears his throat and softly speaks:

"At one time here, my people were many, but sadly, now we are few."

The Muslim student raises an eyebrow and leans forward: "Once my people were

few" he sneers, "and now we are many. Why do you suppose that is?"



The Alberta cowboy shifts his toothpick to one side of his mouth, and from

the darkness beneath his Stetson says in a smooth drawl, "That's 'cause we

ain't played Cowboys and Muslims yet . . ... but I do believe it's

a-comin'..."