This reminded me of a Romanian joke from the communist era. A son corresponds with his elderly father, who writes that he'd like to dig up the garden and plant

This reminded me of a Romanian joke from the communist era. A son corresponds with his elderly father, who writes that he'd like to dig up the garden and plant potatoes, but the ground is hard and he's old, and can't the son come and help? The son writes back that under no circumstances should he dig up the garden, that's where the money is hidden. The very next day, the Securitate (Romanian Secret Police) comes and digs up the entire garden looking for money. A few days later, the son sends another letter: "I believe the garden should have been dug up by now, so you can go ahead and plant the potatoes."