Pennies on the track...

Before I left the States to serve a mission in Brazil, I brought with me a few rolls of coins. I was informed that children in Brazil love American money. I was certain I would become a great friend to all the children I presented United States coins to.

As I would hand pennies to the children, I would tell them the neat and marvelous things I would do with pennies. "One of the great American pastimes is to take your pennies and lay them on a railroad track. When the train comes along, it will flatten your pennies."

All of the parents and children would laugh and laugh. I would think to myself... "I'm a star! They love me! Maybe I should sing for them. I should run for office while I'm here. Who thought I could buy their love with pennies."

News traveled quickly about the cool North American who gave out American money and would tell great stories. As I walked down the street, people would point at me and laugh. I would blush and wave to all. "I'm so cool!"

A few days later, my mission companion informed me that the word I was using, "pennies” is actually referring to the male anatomy. You see, there is no direct translation for pennies, because they don't have pennies in Brazil.

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