Rolls Royce tales

A company driver told me with great excitement one day that he had seen a Rolls Royce at Pondok Indah, South Jakarta. He may well have spotted the one and only Rolls Royce in Indonesia. I told him that it is the best and most expensive car in the world.

This event reminded me of the tales told by my English teacher, who seemed to be an ardent admirer of the car.

The king of a Middle East country came to London to buy a Rolls Royce. He said to the sales manager: "It has come to my attention that the sound of the car's engine is so fine one can hardly hear it. Please start the engine so I can hear whether this is true." The manager replied suavely: "But your Majesty, the engine has been running since you entered this showroom...!"

An American general was forced to leave Bataan, Philippines, in 1942 following the arrival of the Japanese army. He buried his prized Rolls Royce in a hole several meters deep. After four years, the tide had turned and the Americans and allied forces emerged victorious. The general fulfilled his famous war cry: "I shall return." The Rolls Royce was dug out, the engine started and the vehicle was ready for duty.

A. DJUANA

Jakarta