President George W. Bush is visiting an elementary school today and he visits one of the classes. They are in the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings. The teacher asks the President if he would like to lead the class in a 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 next door, is playing in the street and a car comes along and runs him over, that would be a tragedy.” “No,” says Bush, “that would be an ACCIDENT.”

A little girl raises her hand: “If a school bus carrying 50 children drove over a cliff, killing everyone on board, that would be a tragedy.” “I am afraid not,” explains Mr President. “That’s what we would call a GREAT LOSS.”

The room goes silent. No other children volunteer. President Bush searches the room. “Isn’t there someone who can give me an example of a tragedy?”

Finally, way back in the room, a small boy raises his hand. In a quiet voice he says, “If Air Force One, carrying Mr & Mrs Bush, were struck by a missile and blown to smithereens, by a terrorist such as Osama Bin Laden, that would be a tragedy.” “Excellent!” exclaims Bush, “that is correct. And can you tell my why that would be a TRAGEDY?” “Well,” says the little boy, “because it wouldn’t be an accident, and it certainly would not be a great loss.”