Lucky Duck

In the year 490 B.C., an historic battle took place between the Greeks and the Persians. In betting terms, you could say the Greeks were the “underdogs” and the Persians were the “favorites.” Against all odds, however, the Greeks emerged victorious at a place called Marathon and, following the battle, one man ran all the way from Marathon to Athens which was a considerable distance (twenty-six miles, three hundred eighty five yards to be precise) to report the news of the Greek victory. But the unfortunate man had run so hard that, as he delivered the victory message to the people of Athens, he collapsed and died.

Harking back to this event (upon which present-day marathon races are patterned), “Saturday Review Magazine” ran an amusing cartoon which depicted a dazed and confused-looking runner at the completion of his twenty-six-mile run. Ready to announce the good news of victory to an expectant crowd, he says, “Uh, um … I forgot the message.” Because the messenger had…