A poor Russian farmer called on his more affluent neighbor, the local party official, to borrow his donkey.
"Yes, comrade," his neighbor began, "what can the party do for you?"
"Perhaps the party could lend me a donkey," said the poor man.
"I'm sorry, comrade, but my donkey is in the next pasture right now."
At that moment the hee-haw of a donkey was heard, braying in the nearby stable.
"Your alibi wasn't very clever," said the poor man bitterly.
"Now look, comrade," replied the neighbor with great dignity, "whom are you going to believe? The party or a braying donkey?"