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Friday, 28 August 2009 |
As a crowded airliner is
about to take off, the peace is shattered by a 5-year-old boy who picks that
moment to throw a wild temper tantrum. No matter what his frustrated,
embarrassed mother does to try to calm him down, the boy continues to scream
furiously and kick the seats around him.
Suddenly, from the rear of the
plane, an elderly man in the uniform of an Air Force General is seen slowly
walking forward up the aisle. Stopping the flustered mother with an upraised
hand, the white-haired, courtly, soft-spoken General leans down and, motioning
toward his chest, whispers something into the boy's ear.
Instantly, the
boy calms down, gently takes his mother's hand, and quietly fastens his seat
belt. All the other passengers burst into spontaneous applause.
As the
General slowly makes his way back to his seat, one of the cabin attendants
touches his sleeve. "Excuse me, General," she asks quietly, "but could I ask you
what magic words you used on that little boy?"
The old man smiles
serenely and gently confides, "I showed him my pilot's wings, service stars, and
battle ribbons, and explained that they entitle me to throw one passenger out
the plane door on any flight I choose."
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