John Saxton
22nd December 2000, 04:13 PM
Prime Minister John Howard is visiting a primary school and he visits one of the year 4 classes.
They are in the middle of a discussion relating to words and their meanings.The teacher asks the Prime Minister if he would like to lead the class in the discussion of the word tragedy.
So our illustrious leader asks the class for an example of a "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 Howard,"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."
"Im afraid not,"explains Mr Howard."That's what we would call a GREAT LOSS."
The room goes silent.No other children volunteer.Prime Minister Howard search's the room."Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"
Finally, in the back of the room, little Johnny raises his hand.
In a quiet voice he says,"If the Prime Ministerial Jet,carrying Mr & Mrs Howard,was struck by a missile and blown to smithereens,that would be a tragedy."
"Fantastic," exclaims John Howard,"That's right.And can you tell me WHY that would be a tragedy?"
"Well," says little Johnny,"Because it wouldn't be an accident,and it certainly wouldn't be a great loss."
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Johnno
They are in the middle of a discussion relating to words and their meanings.The teacher asks the Prime Minister if he would like to lead the class in the discussion of the word tragedy.
So our illustrious leader asks the class for an example of a "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 Howard,"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."
"Im afraid not,"explains Mr Howard."That's what we would call a GREAT LOSS."
The room goes silent.No other children volunteer.Prime Minister Howard search's the room."Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"
Finally, in the back of the room, little Johnny raises his hand.
In a quiet voice he says,"If the Prime Ministerial Jet,carrying Mr & Mrs Howard,was struck by a missile and blown to smithereens,that would be a tragedy."
"Fantastic," exclaims John Howard,"That's right.And can you tell me WHY that would be a tragedy?"
"Well," says little Johnny,"Because it wouldn't be an accident,and it certainly wouldn't be a great loss."
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Johnno