Mark Twain vs. the Extortionists

Mark Twain was a witty man—not someone you could easily outsmart.

Once, a group of people approached him asking for a donation. The cemetery wall had collapsed, they said, and funds were needed to repair it.

Mark Twain listened with a distant look in his eyes. After a pause, he said, “Sorry, I won’t be able to help. Donating for this cause doesn’t make much sense to me. But you’re welcome to try.”

“Why not?” they asked, a bit taken aback.

Still in his usual calm and dry tone, Twain replied, “The reason is as clear as water. Those inside the graves have no way of getting out, and those of us still alive have no desire to move in through the broken wall. So, let it stay as it is.”

“No point wasting money fixing a wall that’s doing no harm.”

Hearing his response, the fundraisers realized they had come to the wrong man. Without another word, they turned away—disappointed and empty-handed.