ToBE #29: The importance of correct punctuation

Sometimes we forget punctuation, resulting in unforeseen results. At other times, we add punctuation where none is necessary. Hope this joke highlights the importance of correct punctuation.
________________________

A panda escapes from a zoo and walks into the nearest restaurant. He orders a sandwich, eats it. Then, the panda takes out a gun, shoots the waiter and leaves the restaurant. The restaurant-owner runs after the panda and shouts. “Hey! What is the meaning of all this?”

The panda turns around and says, “I am a panda. Look up the meaning of ‘panda’ in your dictionary”.

The owner did as bid by the panda. “Panda (noun). Mammal of Asian origin. Lives in trees. Eats, shoots and leaves”, said the dictionary.

The dictionary meant to say, “Eats shoots and leaves” (shoot means ‘new branch’), but the comma after “Eats” changes the meaning.

The next time you plan to add the punctuation mark, think twice.

“Never read medical books. You may die of a mis-print”. – Mark Twain.

There is a book on this subject by Lynee Truss. A must-read.