The New Student

A young Jewish boy starts attending public school in a small town. The teacher of the one-room school decides to use her position to try to influence the new student. She asks the class:

- Who was the greatest man that ever lived?

A girl raises her hand and says:

- I think George Washington was the greatest man that ever lived because he is the Father of our country.

The teacher replies:

- Well...that's a good answer, but that's not the answer I am looking for.

Another young student raises his hand and says:

- I think Abraham Lincoln was the greatest man that lived because he freed the slaves and helped end the civil war. ...

- Well, that's another good answer, but that is not the one I was looking for.

Then the new Jewish boy raises his hand and says:

- I think Jesus Christ was the greatest man that ever lived.

The teacher's mouth drops open in astonishment.

- Yes! - she says - that's the answer I was looking for. She then brings him up to the front of the classroom and gives him a lollipop.

Later, during recess, another Jewish boy approaches him as he is licking his lollipop. He says:

- Why did you say, 'Jesus Christ'?

The boy stops licking his lollipop and replies:

- I know it's Moses, and YOU know it's Moses, but business is business.