a poor punch line…
I heard a delightful sher from a friend yesterday.The original in Hindi was enjoyable because the last line-the punch line -was very apt.I tried to translate it into English but even after many attempts,I did not get an equally or more funny punch line as in the original.
Need I explain what a punch line is ? Well,here it is :
A punch line is the final part of a joke or a comedy act which is intended to be funny and to provoke laughter from the listeners. For instance, in the following well-known joke:
- A man walks into a bar with a duck under his arm.
- The bartender asks: “Say, where did you find the pig?”
- “It’s not a pig, it’s a duck,” the man answers.
- To which the barman replies: “I was talking to the duck.”
Can my dear readers help me…please ?
Please do not take pot shots at me !
original :
hum guzrey un ki gali sey-
ajab ittefaq tha.
hum guzrey un ki gali sey-
ajab ittefaq tha.
unhon ney fenka hum pey phool-
lekin gamla bhi saath tha.
unhon ney fenka hum pey phool-
lekin gamla bhi saath tha.
translation :
i passed down her lane-
it was just a coincidence.
i passed down her lane-
it was just a coincidence.
she threw a flower at me-
but with the pot along with it
(it wasn’t a coincidence ?)
(wasn’t it so indecent ?)
I hope that the next time I pass through that lane purposely,I will be well prepared to cross it safely.Wish me a safe landing…!!
Jitoo,how’s this?
She threw a flower at me
along came the pot too…
Shernaz, Pune
Aug 30, 2010
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Perhaps you will wear a helmet and pads ala cricketers.Enjoyed,Jitoo ji.Regards.
TSChandra Mouli, Hyderabad
Aug 30, 2010
I was a lame duck… the pot came as a package she threw a flower . — in a senryu. Thanks, Broca, for those very funny posts. Enjoyed.
Seshu Chamarty, Hyderabad
Aug 30, 2010
How about this? I passed down her street Of coincidence, a feat: I passed down her street Of coincidence, a feat: At me, a flower, she threw At me, a flower, she threw With it was, but, the pot too!
Kannan G, Anchal
Aug 30, 2010
Just a small variation: “…. She tossed a flower at me Er,… the flowerpot, actually!”
Charanjeet Kaur, Thane
Aug 30, 2010
Dear Shernaz, Mouli ji, Seshu ji, Kanan ji and Charanjeet ji–sincere thanks for your lovely responses and efforts to give me the perfect punch line.. Loved all the different versions…
J S Broca, New Delhi
Sep 01, 2010
This is great stuff, its nice to be in the know.
Hey , i’d like to say thank you about this cool article, very helpful to me, Thank You.