Accident or tragedy? (sent to our email recently)

An accident, or a tragedy??

President Obama was visiting a primary school, and in one of the classes he visited they were in the middle of a discussion of words and their meanings.

The teacher asked the president if he would like to lead a discussion on the meaning of the word "tragedy".

So, our illustrious president asked 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 a field and tractor runs over him and kills him, would that be a tragedy?"

"No." said Obama, "That would be an accident. A little girl raised her hand: "If a school bus carrying 50 children drove over a cliff, killing everyone inside, would that be a tragedy?"

"I'm afraid not," explained Obama, "that is what we would call a great loss."

The room went silent. No other children volunteered. Obama searched the room. "Isn't there someone who can give me an example of a tragedy?"

Finally, in the back of the room, little Johnny raised his hand.In a quiet voice he said: "If the plane carrying you and Mrs. Obama was struck by a "friendly fire" missile and blown to smithereens, that would be tragedy?"

"Fantastic!" exclaimed Obama, "That's right. And can you tell me why that would be a tragedy?"

"Well," says little Johnny, "It has to be a tragedy because it certainly wouldn't be a great loss....and it probably wouldn't be a friggin' accident either."