A man went into a pet shop and told the owner he wanted to buy a pet. However, he didn't want an ordinary pet; he wanted one that could do everything!
The shop owner suggested a faithful dog.
The man replied, "Come on, a dog?"
The owner then said, "How about a cat?"
"No way!" the man exclaimed. "A cat certainly can't do everything. I want a pet that can do everything!"
The shop owner thought for a minute and said, "I've got it! A centipede!"
"A centipede?" the man said, skeptical. "I can't imagine a centipede doing everything, but okay... I'll try one."
He took the centipede home and gave it its first command: "Clean the kitchen."
Thirty minutes later, he walked into the kitchen. It was immaculate! All the dishes and silverware were washed, dried, and put away; the countertops were cleaned; the appliances were sparkling; and the floor was waxed. He was absolutely amazed.
He then said to the centipede, "Go clean the living room."
Twenty minutes later, he entered the living room. The carpet had been vacuumed; the furniture was cleaned and dusted; the sofa pillows were plumped; and the plants were watered.
The man thought to himself, "This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. This really is a pet that can do everything!"
Next, he told the centipede, "Run down to the corner and get me a newspaper."
The centipede walked out the door. Ten minutes passed... no centipede. Twenty minutes... no centipede. Thirty minutes... still no centipede.
The man began to wonder what was happening. The errand should have taken only a couple of minutes.
Forty-five minutes later, there was still no sign of the centipede. He grew worried. Had it run away? Been hit by a car? Where was it?
He went to the front door, opened it, and found the centipede sitting right outside.
"Hey!" the man shouted. "I sent you to get a newspaper 45 minutes ago! What happened?!"
The centipede replied, "I'm goin'! I'm goin'! I'm just puttin' on my shoes!"