Joey's oratal skills are legendary and are the subject of many yarns.
This particular story takes place in Summerside, Bay of Islands, where Joey, along with local politicians Jim Penny and Mike Foley were attending a Liberal ralley at the local school during an election campaign.
Jim Penny was the first speaker, but cut his speech short, having been disconcerted by a drunk at the back of the room who had interupted several times. Mike Foley, who spoke second, had similar luck, and wrapped up his discourse aftrer only ten minutes or so, having been thrown off by the drunk's constant intrerupting and heckling.
And then came Joey.
Joey was no more than a few minutes into his speech, when thre drunk started. The legendary Joey stopped in mid-sentence and addressed the drunk. "Oh," he said, "I see you're still here. I thought you had gone, but I'm glad you're still here because I have a little story I'd like to tell you."
Joey had the drunk's undivided attention.
"There was a little bird on the very lowest branch of a tree in the middle of a large meadow. It was a cold, raw, morning, and the little bird was hungry and miserable, and was wondering where its next meal would come from. At the lowest point in the depths of its pessimism and despair, a horse came by and did what horsed naturally do, and then went on its way."
"The little bird feasted royally, and with a hot breakfast in its belly, its whole outlook on life had changed. The little bird joyfully flew to the very top of the tree, and with joy in its heart, began singing a happy song."
"A henwawk soaring high overhead, heard the little bird singing, swooped down, and made off with the little bird."
Joey looked directly at the drunk. "And that was the end of the little bird."
The drunk was mis-guided eniugh to repeat, "And that was the end of the little bird."
"Yes," said Joey, "That was the end of the little bird, but it is not the end of this story. This story has a morel, and that morel is 'When You're Full of Shit, Keep Your Mouth Shut!!!'"