Former President Bill Clinton is visiting an elementary school
today and he visits, one of the 4th grade classes. They are in the middle of a
discussion related to words and their meanings. The teacher asks the President
if he would like to lead the class in the discussion of the word, "tragedy."
So our ex-President asks the class for an example of the word "tragedy."
One little boy stands up and offers, "If my best friend, who lives next door, is
playing in the street and a car comes along and runs him over, that would be a
tragedy."?
"No," says Clinton, "that would be an accident."
A little girl raises her hand: "If a school bus carrying 50 children drove off a
cliff, killing everyone involved, that would be a tragedy."
"I'm afraid not," explains Clinton. "That's what we would call a GREAT LOSS."
The room goes silent. No other children volunteer.
Former President Clinton searches the room. "Isn't there someone here who can
give me an example of a tragedy?"
Finally, way in the back of the room, Little Johnny raises his hand. In a quiet
voice he says, "If Air Force One, carrying Mr. & Mrs. Clinton, was struck by a
missile and blown to pieces, that would be a tragedy.?"
"Fantastic", exclaims Mr. Clinton, "that's right. And can you tell me WHY that
would be a tragedy?"
"Well," Little Johnny said, "because it wouldn't be an accident, and it damn
sure wouldn't be a great loss."