Winston Peters 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 offersthat, 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, Winston 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. Im afraid not, explains Winston, that is what we would call a GREAT LOSS.
The room is silent, none of the other children volunteer. What? asks Winston, isnt 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 Winston Peters was blown up by a bomb, THAT would be a tragedy.
Wonderful! Winston beams. Marvelous! And can you tell me WHY that would be a tragedy? Well, says the boy, because it wouldnt be an accident, and it certainly wouldnt be a great loss!