Farmer Joe decided his injuries from the accident were serious enough to
take the trucking company(responsible for the accident) to court.

In court the trucking companies fancy lawyer was questioning farmer Joe.

"Didn't you say, at the scene of the accident, "I'm fine," said the
lawyer.

Farmer Joe responded, "Well I'll tell you what happened. I had just
loaded my favorite mule Bessie into the ... "

"I didn't ask for any details," the lawyer interrupted, "just answer the
question." "Did you not say, at the scene of the accident, 'I'm fine!'"

Farmer Joe said, "Well I had just got Bessie into the trailer and I was
driving down the road..." The lawyer interrupted again:

"Judge, I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the
accident, this man told the Highway Patrolman on the scene that he was
just fine. Now several weeks after the accident he is trying to sue my
client. I believe he is a fraud. Please tell him to simply answer the
question."

By this time the Judge was fairly interested in Farmer Joe's answer and
said to the lawyer, "I'd like to hear what he has to say about his
favorite mule Bessie."

Joe thanked the Judge and proceeded, "Well as I was saying, I had just
loaded Bessie, my favorite mule, into the trailer and was driving her
down the highway when this huge semi-truck and trailer ran the stop sign
and smacked my truck right in the side. I was thrown into one ditch and
Bessie was thrown into the other. I was hurting real bad and didn't want
to move. However, I could hear ole Bessie moaning and groaning. I knew
she was in terrible shape just by her groans."

Joe continued, "Shortly after the accident a Highway Patrolman came on
the scene. He could hear Bessie moaning and groaning so he went over to
her. After he looked at her he took out his gun and shot her between
the eyes. Then the Patrolman came across the road with his gun in his
hand and looked at me. He said, "Your mule was in such bad shape I had
to shoot her, how are you feeling?"