An Israeli soldier at a military checkpoint addressed an Arab riding along on his donkey, his aged wife trudging before him.

“I've been watching you go by every morning for months,” the guard commented, “and you always ride and your wife is always on foot. Why?”

“Wife have no donkey,” replied the Arab with a shrug.

“I see. But why does she walk in front of you? Is that the custom of your people?”

The Arab shook his head. “Land mines,” he exclaimed.