A traveler became lost in the desert region of Algeria.

Realizing his only chance for survival was to find civilization, he began
walking. Time passed, and he became thirsty. More time passed, and he
began feeling faint.

Reduced to crawling, he was on the verge of passing out when he spied a
tent about 500 meters in front of him.

Barely conscious, he reached the tent and called out, "Water...".

A bedouin appeared in the tent door and replied sympathetically, "I am
sorry, sir, but I have no water. However, would you like to buy a tie?"

With this, he brandished a collection of exquisite silken neckwear.

"You fool," gasped the man. "I'm dying! I need water!"

"Well, sir," replied the bedouin, "If you really need water, there is a
tent about 2 kilometers south of here where you can get some."

Without knowing how, the man summoned sufficient strength to drag his
parched body the distance to the second tent. With his last ounce of
strength he tugged at the door of the tent and collapsed.

Another bedouin, dressed in a costly tuxedo, appeared at the door and
enquired, "May I help you sir?"

"Water..." was the feeble reply.

"Oh, sir," replied the bedouin, "I'm sorry, but you can't come in here
without a tie!"