As the crowded airliner is about to take off,
a five-year-old boy picks that moment
to throw a wild temper tantrum
and shatters the peace.
No matter what his frustrated,
embarrassed mother does
to try to calm him down,
the boy continues to scream furiously
and kick the seats around him.Suddenly, from the rear of the plane,
a man in a Marine uniform is seen slowly
walking forward up the aisle.
Stopping the flustered mother with an upraised hand,
the courtly, soft-spoken Marine
leans down and, motioning toward his chest,
whispers something into the boy's ear.
Instantly, the boy calms down,
gently takes his mother's hand,
and quietly fastens his seat belt.
All the other passengers burst into spontaneous applause.
As the Marine slowly
makes his way back to his seat,
one of the cabin attendants touches his sleeve.
"Excuse me, sir," she asks quietly,
"but could I ask you what
magic words you used on that little boy?"
The Marine smiles serenely and gently confides,
"I showed him my pilot's wings, service stars,
and battle ribbons, and explained
that they entitle me to throw
one passenger out the plane door,
on any flight I choose."
Author Unknown
Rebel's Home On The Web
View My Guestbook
Sign My Guestbook
