Gordon Brown was visiting a primary school and he went into the classrooms when they were in a discussion about words and their meanings.

The teacher asked Mr Brown if he would like to lead the discussion on the word 'tragedy'.

So the illustrious leader asked the children if they new an example of the word 'tragedy'

A little boy stood up and offered 'If a boy who lives on a farm, is playing in a field and a tractor runs over him and kills him that wo uld be a 'tragedy''

'No' - said Gordon Brown 'that would be an accident'

A little girl raised her hand - 'If a school bus carrying 50 children, drove over a cliff and killed everyone inside, that would be a 'tragedy' '

'No' - said Gordon Brown 'that's what we'd call a 'great loss' '

The room went silent. No other children volunteered.

Gordon searched the room ' Isn't there anybody who can give me an example of the word 'tragedy'?

Finally little Johnny at the back of the class raised his hand....


In a quiet voice he said 'If a plane carrying you and Mr. Darling got struck by a 'friendly fire' missile & blown to smithereens that would be a tragedy'


'FANTASTIC!' Gordon exclaimed 'that's right, and can you tell me why it 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 an accident either!!'