A Tragedy

[Ron19]

Bill Clinton is visiting a school. In one class, he asks the students if anyone can give him an example of a “tragedy”.

One little boy stands up and offers, “If my best friend who lives next door was playing in the street, then a car came along and killed him, that would be a tragedy.”

“No,” Clinton says, “That would be an ACCIDENT.”

A girl raises her hand. “If a school bus carrying fifty children drove off a cliff, killing everyone involved – that would be a tragedy.”

“I’m afraid not,” explains Clinton. “That is what we would call a GREAT LOSS.”

The room is silent; none of the other children volunteer. “What?” asks Clinton. “Isn’t there anyone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?”

Finally, Little Johnny in the back raises his hand. In a timid voice, he speaks: “If an airplane carrying Bill and Hillary Clinton were blown up by a bomb, THAT would be a tragedy.”

“Wonderful!” Clinton beams. “Marvelous! 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 would be no great loss”