Freya was driving her Chevrolet Vega home in New Mexico when she saw an elderly Apache woman walking along the side of the road. She stopped the car and asked the woman if she would like a lift.

Without a word spoken but with a silent nod, the woman climbed into the car. During their drive, Freya tried in vain to make conversation with the Apache woman but to no avail.

The old Apache remained silent but looked closely at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a red gift bag on the seat next to Freya.

‘What’s in the bag?’ asked the Apache woman.

‘It’s a bottle of gin that I got for my husband.’

The Apache woman was silent for another minute or two. Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said, ‘Good trade.’