49 HUMOUR/JOKES/THE WORLDS FUNNIEST JOKE

It is possible to define the funniest joke in the World, despite all the cultural diversity, the many different types of humour and the myriad language barriers. Gupta Sing-Bali, wrote the World’s funniest joke in Brest, France in 1841. Being the only Indian in this Brittany naval port, Gupta had to develop an acute sense of humour in order to survive. He originally tried opening a Take–Away Restaurant, but misjudged the French passion for haute cuisine, and was almost beaten to death for serving Oysters Vindaloo with a dessert wine. As he lay recovering from his wounds he had an epiphany and realised the divine comedy. Fortunately, Gupta understood the power of slapstick and didn’t go the route of Dante. He replaced Paradise with Parody, Inferno with Innuendo and Purgatory with Absurdity, making for a much funnier read. Unfortunately, his efforts were so good, Mr Sing-Bali, all the patients and the entire nursing staff of the Brest Hospital died laughing when he told the one about the duck who eats monkeys. Divine comedy indeed.