A shepherd was tending to his flock when a city guy approached him.
"Would you mind if I asked you a few questions about your sheep?"
"Certainly."
"How far would you say your sheep walk while grazing in a given day?"
The shepherd said "Well I can't answer that question unless you tell me which ones you are speaking about. The white ones or the black ones."
"Well, ok, the white ones."
"Well the white ones walk four miles every day. We measured that."
"Really, that's interesting. And what about the black ones?"
"The black ones also walk four miles."
The city guy was a little perplexed by this. But then he said,
"Tell me, how much food would you say your sheep would eat in a given day?"
"Well I can't answer your question unless you specify. Are you talking about the white ones or the black ones?"
"Well, tell me about the white ones."
"Well the white ones eat exactly three-and-a-half pounds of grass each day. We measured that."
"Really? So, what about the black ones?"
"Well, they eat three-and-a-half pounds as well."
The city guy was now a little bit more frustrated but continued with his final question.
"In the springtime at shearing, how much wool would you say each sheep gives?"
"Which sheep are you speaking about--?"
"Well, the white ones."
"Well yes we measured that. The white ones give six pounds of wool every spring at shearing time."
"Ok. And. What about the black ones?"
"The black ones give six pounds also."
The city guy was now beside himself.
"I don't understand this." he said. "Every time I ask you a question about your sheep you ask me to divide them into the white ones and the black ones. And then you tell me they are exactly the same. Why would you do that?"
"Ah, yes I can see that might be a bit confusing to you. Let me explain. You see all of those sheep out there?"
"Yes."
"Now, you see the white ones?"
"Yeah, I see the white ones."
"Well the white ones are mine. I was given them, I raised them, and they're all mine. I own each and every one of those sheep."
"Ahhh yes, I see. I understand. And what about the black ones?"
"I own them too."
