Teaching Greek History
The scene is in Romania just after the Communist
revolution. Overnight people who were nobody were
prompted to crucial positions simply because they had
previosly been members of the Communist party.
The lesson for that afternoon was ancient Greek
History. The teacher paused to ask the class a question.
"Now tell me, Joseph, who was it who stole the horse of
Troy?"
Joseph gulped, stood up and said, "Please, sir, I
didn't take it"
"Stupid boy" said the teacher. He slammed his books
on his desk and walked out of the classroom and into the
Principal's office.
"Our civilization is dead" said the teacher with
conviction, "I am teaching about the history of Greek
civilization, I ask Joseph who stole the horse of Troy
and he said HE didn't!"
The Principal, who two weeks previously sold
newspapers for a living said, "Comrade, listen to me, I
have known Joseph and his father for many, many years,
if Joseph said he didn't steal it, he didn't steal it."
The teacher said, "I can't stand it" and stormed out
of the school. He went into a local wine bar, ordered a
wine, sat down and began to collect his nerves.
The Director of Secret Police was in the bar also
drinking wine and knew the teacher. He strolled over.
"Why so glum, comrade?"
The teacher told the Director of Secret Police the
story of stupid Joseph and the more stupid Principal.
The Directory of Secret Police listened with sympathy,
nodded and at the end said, "You are quite right,
comrade, our civilization is dead."
Nothing further happened until four o'clock the
following morning when the teacher's telephone rang. He
answered to hear the voice of the Director of Secret
Police. "That was a very disturbing tale you told me
today in the wine bar, comrade. After hearing it we
brought Joseph and his father in for questioning. They
have signed a confession. Joseph did steal it."
