A priest in a small rural town was very fond of the ten chickens
and one handsome cock rooster he kept in a hen house behind the
rectory.
One Saturday night the priest discovered that the cock rooster was
missing. At the same time the priest heard rumors of cockfights
being held in town. Shocked and dismayed, he decided to say
something during Sunday Mass.
During Mass he asked the congregation, "Who among you will
confess to sporting a handsome cock?"
All the men stood up.
"No, no," he said. "That's not what I mean. Who among
you will confess to having seen a handsome cock?"
All the women stood up.
"Oh, no," he said. " That's not what I mean, either.
Who among you will confess to having seen a cock that doesn't belong
to you?"
Half the women stood up.
"Oh Lord," he said. "Perhaps I should rephrase the
question:
Has anybody here seen my cock?"
All the choirboys stood up.
