One day, the great painter Hogarth was commissioned to paint a picture of Pharaoh crossing the Red Sea. Shortly after he began, a dispute arose over the fee, and Hogarth found he would have to complete the work for about half his expected payment.
When the painting was finished, the patron was invited to inspect it. In reality, the canvas was merely a single daub of brilliant red paint.
"What is this?" exclaimed the purchaser. "I asked for the Red Sea on the occasion of its celebrated crossing."
"That is it," replied Hogarth.
"But where are the Israelites?"
"They have all gone over."
"Where are the Egyptians?"
"They are all drowned."