Another Soviet Joke In a small town outside Moscow a very proud primary school teacher began the Monday the same was she began every monday: by asking the students what they did to help their fellow comrads in the glorious Soviet Union. She turned to Illya Ivanovich. ""Illya Ivanovich, what did you do today to help the Collective?"" Illya thought a moment and replied, ""Well, Katerina Maximovna, I helped an old woman cross the street."" ""Wonderful,"" his teacher replied, ""you truly helped your country. And you, Alexander Michaelovich, what did you do this weekend to help the Collective?"" ""Well, you see Katerina Maximovna, I was helping Illya to help the old lady cross the street."" ""OK. Good work. You certainly helped your nation and your fellow comrads."" Katerina then looked at Dimitri Fyodorovich. ""And you, Dimitri Fyodorovich. What did you do this weekend to benefit the Collective?"" Dimitri thought for a moment, and then said, ""Katerina Maximovna, you see, I was also helping Alexander and Illya to help the old woman across the street."" Katerina Maximovna paused a moment, and then with a confused look she said, ""OK, Dimitri Fyodorovich, it is always good to help others. But I am confused. Why did it take three strong young boys to help one old babushka across the street?"" Dimitri thought for a moment and answered, ""Well, you see, she didn't want to cross.""