Jokes

Mullah Nasruddin, a famous character in Sufism, often offers profound lessons by appearing as a fool—and sometimes, he seems to embody the characteristics of a Self-Preservation 7 type fool, as in the following story, where he reveals the typical tricks of this character. Nasruddin is accused of stealing from the public treasury, but there are doubts about whether it was him or someone else. Nasruddin, ever astute, asks his lawyer:

—Why don't we send an expensive gift to the judge to facilitate the discharge process? —You're crazy... that judge is very upright and would irreparably condemn you.

The next day, the judge, without hearing many arguments, condemns the other inmate in a blunt manner. Leaving the court, Nasruddin's lawyer tells him: —What a surprise! I would have sworn we would lose this case, and that you, Nasruddin, would be convicted. It was lucky that you sent him such an expensive gift... I imagine you did! Nasruddin replies: —I confess that I did. But I couldn’t resist the temptation to send it to him in the name of the other prisoner.

A common theme in the Self-Preservation 7 is their usual difficulty, not only with commitment in relationships but also with being transparent and forming deep connections. In the following story, two widows meet in a cemetery: one is very happy, cleaning her husband's tombstone and singing joyfully; the other is very sad and crying profusely. After a while, the grieving woman looks at the happy one and asks: —Oh, ma’am, how long have you been a widow? —One week. —And how do you manage to be so happy when I’ve been here for three years and still haven’t gotten over this pain? —Because after many years, it is the first time that I know where it is and who is eating it.

At other times, the Self-Preservation 7 is indeed transparent, but their clarity takes on a cynical tone:

The judge asks the woman: —Tell me, what is the reason you want to divorce your husband? —My husband treats me like a dog. —Is he mistreating you, hitting you? —No. He wants me to be faithful to him.

As the representative comic character of Self-Preservation 7, we have chosen Herminio Bolaextra, "the reporter with the three eggs," created by the brilliant Spanish cartoonist Mauro Entrialgo. Herminio works as an editor for the tabloid newspaper El Caos, where he dedicates himself to doing what he knows best: manipulating and exaggerating. His nickname is due to the curious fact that he has three testicles, a detail that underscores his tendency to boast. He is addicted to Ricard liquor, has bizarre habits, is a scoundrel, and often frequents cocktail bars, indulging in all kinds of erotic excesses, drugs, and alcohol.

Herminio is irreverent, characterized by teasing people, putting himself above others, and attacking them with his sharp humor—all thanks to his mental agility. He is also a loudmouth, a provocateur who aspires not to go unnoticed, a freeloader, and an unscrupulous person who seeks to climb on the shoulders of others.