SOMEONE FINALLY SAID IT!


Three strangers strike up a conversation in the passenger lounge in
Bozeman , Montana , while waiting for their respective flights...
One is an American Indian passing through from Lame Deer, another is a
Cowboy on his way to Billings for a livestock show and the third
passenger is a fundamentalist Arab student, newly arrived at Montana
State University from the Middle East .


Their discussion drifts to their diverse cultures.  Soon, the two
Westerners 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, tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face, and lights
a cigarette.  The wind outside is blowing tumbleweeds around, and the
old windsock is flapping; but still no plane comes.


Finally, the American Indian clears his throat
 and softly he 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 cowboy removes his cigarette from his mouth and from the darkness
beneath his Stetson says in a smooth drawl . .. . 



'I reckon that's 'cause we ain't played Cowboys and Muslims yet,
But I do believe it's a-comin'.'