Kalle Svensson (from Sweden of course) knew all people. At least he always said so to his work mates. He liked to boast. One day, Kalle said, "I know the Prime Minister."

Of course, his friends didn't believe him. The Prime Minister lived in Stockholm, and Kalle lived in Gothenburg.

"Nah... you're kidding!" his friends said.

"No, I'm not! I can prove it! He said I could call him, if you want! Kalle said.

Believe it or not, Kalle actually did call the Prime Minister, and they talked for hours! No doubt they knew each other. His work mates were stunned.

The next day, Kalle said to the others, "I know the king!"

"What?" his work mates said. "Don't tell lies, of course you don't know the king! We can understand that you know the Prime Minister, but the king, no way."

"Oh, I can prove it," Kalle said. "The king is coming here next month. He's going to drive through the whole city, and hold a speech. I'll be there and change a few words with him after the speech!"

Next month, after the king's speech, Kalle went forward, said something to the guards, and walked toward the king. "Hello Karl Gustaf, nice to meet ya!" he said.

"Kalle! Long time no see," the king said, and they shook hands. They talked for a while, but then the king had to go, so Kalle went back to his friends.

"Well?" he said, and smiled self-confidently. His friends were stunned once again.

After this incident, Kalle was even worse. He boasted more than ever. One day he said to his work mates, "I know the pope!"

They didn't believe him, but he continued saying this all day, until his work mates were extremely tired of hearing him. Suddenly one of them got an idea.

"Guys!" he said. "I've got an idea! Why don't we offer Kalle a trip to Italy, to visit the pope. One of us will go with him. If Kalle can prove that he knows the pope, we'll pay the trip; if not, he has to pay it!"

"Yeah, great idea!" the others agreed.

Kalle agreed to the Italy trip, and a couple of days later they went away. They arrived to Rome, to the Vatican, and went to see the pope. It was really crowded, and they could see the pope high up on a balcony. He waved to the people. Kalle went away, and after a while his friend saw him next to the pope, on the balcony. When Kalle said hello to the pope, something happened. His friend passed out!

"I'm so sorry Johannes Paulus... I have to go now!" he said, and hurried away to his friend.

When he got there, his friend was waiting. "Why did you pass out?" Kalle asked. "Is it so strange that I know the pope?"

"No, it wasn't that," the friend answered. "You see, when you talked to the pope, a sheik beside me said, 'Who is that waving man next to Kalle Svensson?'"