Tragedy

David Cameron was visiting a primary school and the class was in the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings. The teacher asked Mr Cameron if he would like to lead the discussion on the word 'Tragedy'.

So, our illustrious leader asked the class for an example of a 'Tragedy'.

A little boy stood up and offered, “If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field and a tractor runs over him and kills him; that would be a tragedy.”

“Incorrect”, said Cameron. “That would be an accident.”

A little girl raised her hand, “If a school bus carrying fifty children drove over a cliff, killing everybody inside; that would be a tragedy.”

“I'm afraid not”, explained Cameron, “that's what we would refer to as a great loss”.

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

Finally, at the back of the room, little Billy raised his hand and said, “If a plane carrying you, Mr Clegg and Mr Milliband was struck by a 'friendly fire' missile and blown to smithereens; that would be a tragedy.”

“Fantastic”, said Mr Cameron, “tell me why that would be a tragedy?”

“Well”, said little Billy, “it has to be a tragedy, because it certainly wouldn't be a great loss, and it probably wouldn't be a fucking accident either!”