A divorced couple appeared before a judge

A divorced couple appeared before a judge to settle a difficult question: who should receive custody of their child? Both parents believed they had a good reason to raise the child, and the judge listened carefully as they prepared to explain their sides of the story.

The judge turned toward the ex-wife first, looking at her seriously.

Judge: “Madam, why do you believe you deserve custody of your child?”

The woman answered without hesitation.

Ex-wife: “I brought him into this world, Your Honor, so I believe I should have custody of him.”

The judge nodded thoughtfully, impressed by her straightforward response.

Judge: “That is a simple answer, but it makes a reasonable point.”

He then turned toward the ex-husband, who had been sitting quietly and listening to the conversation. The judge adjusted his glasses and invited him to explain why he thought he should receive custody instead.

Judge: “And what about you, sir? Why do you believe you deserve custody of the child?”

The ex-husband leaned back in his chair and thought carefully. He seemed determined to come up with an answer that would make the judge reconsider the situation. After a brief silence, he finally looked up and spoke.

Ex-husband: “Your Honor, let me ask you something. If I put money into a Pepsi machine and a Pepsi comes out, does the Pepsi belong to me, or does it belong to the machine?”