"Faremer's Mule" joke

FARMER'S MULE
A newlywed farmer and his wife were visited by her mother, who immediately
demanded an inspection of the place. The Farmer had genuinely tried to be
friendly to his new mother-in-law, hoping that it could be a friendly,
non-antagonistic relationship. To no avail, she kept nagging them at every
opportunity, demanding changes, offering unwanted advice and making life
unbearable to the farmer and his new bride. While they were walking through
the barn, the farmer's mule suddenly reared up and kicked the mother-in-law
in the head, killing her instantly. At the funeral service a few days
later, the farmer stood near the casket and greeted folks as they walked
by. The pastor noticed that whenever a woman would whisper something to the
farmer, he would nod his head yes and say something. Whenever a man walked
by and whispered to the farmer, however, he would shake his head, no and
mumble a reply. Very curious as to this bizarre behavior, the pastor later
asked the farmer what that was all about. The farmer replied, "The women
would say,' What a terrible tragedy' and I would nod my head and say,' Yes,
it was.' The men would ask,' Can I borrow that mule?' and I would shake my
head and say,' Can't. It's all booked up for a year.'