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The Imposter

Have you ever been in the position where you're in the company of an obnoxious person but, he's there on someone else's invitation? Here's a story about miscommunication which should make you laugh somewhat.

One day, a man was feeling rather lonesome and decided to invite his son-in-law for a visit. The son-in-law lived quite a distance away and was himself weary from working hard. He gladly accepted the invitation his father-in-law extended to him.

Unknown to the son-in-law, the invitation he received was read by someone else. This other person happily invited himself to go along on the holiday. So it was that when the son-in-law got into the train, this person also boarded the same train. When the son-in-law arrived at his destination, this other man also got down from the train.

The son-in-law was greeted by his brother-in-law who had come to the station by a car. When the son-in-law got into the car, this adventurer also got into it. No one dared to say a word in protest for the son-in-law thought that this person might be some friend of the family. In turn,  his brother-in-law thought that this person might be a friend of the son-in-law and it was only courteous to extend the invitation to him as well.

When they all arrived at the father-in-law's house, the guests were received with great honour and housed in various rooms. Naturally, the man was incorporated into all the activities of the household. For instance, he joined the family when they had their meals. However, he was not a pleasant guest at the dinner table. Not only did he demand to sit first before others did, he would begin eating before all others. Sometimes he even went to the kitchen and in a raised voice he demanded his favourite foods be prepared for him.

The father-in-law did notice the angst on the face on his household staff but said nothing to either the man or his son-in-law. He did not wish to wound the feelings of his son-in-law as he thought the person was the son-in-law's friend.

On the other hand, the son-in-law was becoming increasingly furious because the imposter was  freely going into his room and using his shirts, ties, shoes and so on without asking him. Still, the son-in-law did not dare say a word as he assumed the man to be a member or friend of his father-in-law's family.

Thus, from both sides this imposter was allowed full liberty and was having the time of his life.

Then, things came to a head. Both father-in-law and son-in-law could take no more and both made up their minds to talk to the other about this guest.

The father-in-law started with, "Why did you bring such a man to this house?"

The son-in-law replied with, "What do you mean? I did not bring him to this house. Yes, he came on the same journey but I thought you invited him. He's come into my room and used everything of mine. I said nothing because I thought he was your friend. "

Unknown to them both, the imposter was standing on the threshold of the room. When both the son-in-law and father-in-law turned to look at him, he became red in the face. He beat a hasty retreat before anyone could catch him!

Aneeta Sundararaj is the editor-in-chief of 'How To Tell A Great Story' (http://www.howtotellagreatstory.com ).