Mary and Joe are childhood sweethearts.
Mary always wears a blue ribbon around her neck.
At 16 they Marry and Joe whispers into Mary's ear 'Now we are wed, will you tell me why you wear that ribbon around your neck?'
Mary smiles sweetly and replies 'I'll tell you later'
A year later and mary gives birth to their first child. As Joe finds out he has a son, tears come to his eyes. He whispers again in mary;s ear. 'Mary, now that we have a family, will you tell me why you wear that blue ribbon around your neck?'
Again, Mary replies 'I'll tell you later'.
As the years go by, Their son Paul grows up and is married himself. At every special anniversary or event Joe asks the same question and Mary gives the same reply.
Years later and Mary is on her deathbed. Joe takes his wife by the hand and says. 'Mary I have loved you all my life, I just don't know what I will do without you, I Love you so much'
'Joe''Mary whispers 'come closer so I can tell you something. I want you to know about the ribbon'
'Mary, it doesn't matter, take it to the grave my darling it has always been important to you'
'No, Joe, the time has come, I want you to know. Remove the ribbon'
With shaking hands, Joe looked into the eyes of his dying wife and slowly removed the blue ribbon.
And Mary's head fell off.