A year or so before World War Two began, Hitler invited Italian dictator Mussolini and British Prime Minister Chamberlain for a meeting in Bavaria. To ease them into discussions, Hitler proposed they spend an afternoon fishing. To make the event more interesting, Hitler suggested a contest to see who could catch the most fish in a half hour.

Chamberlain went first. With fishing pole in hand he showed an adeptness for the sport. At the end of his half hour he had a respectable creel full of fish.

Next it was Mussolini. Using no rod whatsoever, he waded into the water, grabbing at fish and tossing them onto the shore. At the end of a half hour he reemerged soaking wet and stood beside his pile of fish, beaming.

Lastly, it was Hitler's turn. He spoke into a field telephone and a massive fleet of mechanized vehicles arrived on the shore. Hitler had the lake drained. After twenty minutes the lake was only acres of mud. Fish were flopping and slipping everywhere.Yet Hitler did not move.

"Well?" asked Chamberlain. "Aren't you going to gather some fish?"

Hitler looked at the Prime Minister coldly.

"They have to beg me, first."

[I have adapted this tale from my long-ago research of this era.]