When NASA was preparing for the Apollo Project, it took the astronauts
to a Navajo reservation in Arizona for training. One day, a Navajo
elder
and his son came across the space crew walking among the rocks The
elder, who spoke only Navajo, asked a question.
His son translated for the NASA people: "What are these guys in the big
suits doing?"
One of the astronauts said that they were practicing for a trip to the
moon.
When his son relayed this comment the Navajo elder got all excited and
asked if it would be possible to give to the astronauts a message to
deliver to the moon.
Recognizing a promotional opportunity when he saw one, a NASA official
accompanying the astronauts said,"Why certainly!" He then told an
underling to get a tape recorder.
The Navajo elder's comments into the microphone were brief. The NASA
official asked the son if he would translate what his father had said.
The son listened to the recording and laughed uproariously. But he
refused to translate.
So the NASA people took the tape to a nearby Navajo village and played
it for other members of the tribe. They too laughed long and loudly,
but
refused to translate the elder's message to the moon.
An official government translator was summoned. After he finally
stopped
laughing, the translator relayed the message:
"WATCH OUT FOR THESE @$$HOLES. THEY HAVE COME TO STEAL YOUR LAND."
