Definition of Tragedy

Ex-President George W. Bush was visiting a first graders’ class in a primary school. The kids were learning the meaning of words. The teacher asked Bush if he would lead the discussion on the word 'tragedy?'

Mr. Bush asked the class for an example of a 'tragedy.'

A young boy stood up and offered: 'If a tractors runs over my best friend, who lives on a farm, and kills him, that would be a tragedy.'

'No,' said Bush, 'that would be an accident.'

A young girl volunteered: 'If a school bus with 50 children drove over a cliff, killing everyone inside, that would be a tragedy.'

'I'm afraid not,' explained Bush. 'That would be a great loss.'

The room went silent. No other children volunteered. Bush searched the room. 'Is there someone who can give me an example of a tragedy?'

Finally, little Jimmy raised his hand. 'If the plane carrying you and Mrs. Bush was struck by a ‘friendly’ missile and blown to smithereens, that would be a tragedy.'

'Fantastic!' exclaimed Bush. 'That's right. And can you tell me why that would be tragedy?'

'Well,' said Jimmy, 'It has to be a tragedy, because it certainly wouldn't be a great loss... and it probably wouldn't be an accident either.'