What is a Tragedy?

[Judy Harder]

The Reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, while
visiting a primary school class, found themselves in
the middle of a discussion related to words and their
meanings.

The teacher asked both men if they would like to lead
the discussion of the word "tragedy". So the
illustrious Rev. Jackson asks the class for an
example of a "tragedy".

One little boy stood up and offered: "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."

No," says the Great Jesse Jackson, "that would be an
accident."

A little girl rai
sed her hand: "If a school bus
carrying 50 children drove over a cliff, killing
everyone inside, that would be a tragedy."

I'm afraid not," explains the exalted Reverend Al.
"That's what we would call a great loss. " The room
goes silent. No other children volunteered.

Reverend Al searches the room. "Isn't there someone
here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"

Finally at the back of the room little Johnny raises
his hand. In a stern voice he says: "If a plane
carrying the Reverends Jackson and Sharpton were
struck by a missile and blown to smithereens that
would be a tragedy."

Fantastic!" exclaims Jackson and Sharpton, "That's
right. And can you tell me why that would be a
tragedy?"

"Well," says little Johnny, "because it sure as hell
wouldn't be a great loss, and it probably wouldn't be
an accident
either.

[flo]