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 tragedy.
- Wonderful! - Clinton beams
- Marvelous!
And can you tell me WHY that would be a tragedy?
- Well - says the boy
- because it couldn't be an accident, and it certainly would be no great loss!