Tragedy
Jesse Jackson is visiting a primary school and he visits one of the
classes. They are in the middle of a discussion related to words and
their meanings.
<br>
The teacher asks the Rev. Jackson if he would like to lead the discussion
on the word "tragedy". So the illustrious leader asks the class for an
example of a "tragedy".
<br>
One little boy stands up and offers: "If my best friend, who lives on a
farm, is playing in the field and a runaway tractor comes along and
knocks him dead, that would be a tragedy."
<br>
"No," says the Great Jesse Jackson," that would be an accident."
<br>
A little girl raises her hand: "If a school bus carrying 50 children
drove over a cliff, killing everyone inside, that would be a tragedy."
<br>
"I'm afraid not," explains the exalted spiritual leader. "That's what we
would call a great loss."
<br>
The room goes silent. No other children volunteer. Rev. Jackson searches
the room. "Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a
tragedy?"
<br>
Finally at the back of the room a small boy raises his hand. In a quiet
voice he says: "If a jet carrying the Rev. & Mrs Jackson were struck by a
missile and blown to smithereens, that would be a tragedy."
<br>
"Fantastic!" exclaims Jackson, "That's right. And can you tell me why
that would be tragedy?"
<br>
"Well," says the boy, "because it certainly wouldn't be a great loss and
it probably wouldn't be an accident either."
