An astronomer went on an expedition to Africa to observe a total eclipse of the sun. Unfortunately, cannibals captured him the day before the eclipse was due. He hatched a plan out of "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court:" he figured he'd threaten to extinguish the sun unless he were released. But of course the timing had to be just right.
So, in the few words of the cannibals' tongue that he knew, he asked his guard what time they planned to kill him. The guard answered, "Tradition has it that captives are killed when the sun reaches the highest point in the sky so that they may be cooked and ready to be served for the evening meal."
The astronomer thought, "Great," as the guard continued, "But in your case we're going to wait until after the eclipse."
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