NationStates Jolt Archive


The Definition of "Tragedy"

Sumamba Buwhan
16-09-2004, 17:58
George Bush visits a primary school and sits in on one
of the classes, which is in the middle of a discussion
on words and their meaning.

The teacher asks Mr. Bush if he would like to lead
the discussion of the word "tragedy."

So, the illustrious leader asks the class for an
example of a "tragedy."

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.

"That's wrong," Bush says. "That would be considered
an accident."

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."

"You are completely incorrect" says Bush. "That would
be what we would
consider a great loss."

The room goes silent. No other children volunteer.

Bush 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 Ernie raises
his hand. In a quiet voice he says: "If a plane
carrying the President George Bush were struck by a
missile and blown to smithereens, that would be a
tragedy."

"Fantastic !" exclaims Bush. "You are absolutely
right. Can you tell me why that would be a tragedy?".

"Well", says the boy, "because it sure as hell
wouldn't be a great loss, and it probably wouldn't be
an accident!".
Biff Pileon
16-09-2004, 18:02
If you kill one man it is a tragedy. If you kill one million he is a statistic...... Joseph Stalin.
Sumamba Buwhan
16-09-2004, 18:14
*rimshot*
Seosavists
16-09-2004, 18:24
Hey this joke is changed from one about Ian Paisly(not sure someone in NI anyway).