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An Example of Tragedy

英语角 en.66169.com 2004-11-11

　　 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 when 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 any one here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"

　　Finally, a boy in the back raises his hand. In a timid voice, he says: "If an airplane carrying Bill & 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 the boy, "because it wouldn't be an accident, and it certainly would be no great loss!"