A Yale University professor tells the story of his four-year-old son…
The boy was in nursery school, and one day in early December he brought home a notice from the school which announced a Christmas Pageant. Parents were requested to support and attend the pageant. “Take advantage of this great cultural opportunity,” said the notice. However, the professor and his wife had long felt that Christmas Pageants were “cultural opportunities” they would prefer not to take advantage of. Then a second notice arrived which informed them that their son was to play the part of a shepherd in the pageant, and they felt obliged to attend.
As the pageant proceeded, it met all the expectations the professor and his wife had of such “cultural opportunities” — it was awful!
The house lights dimmed and three Virgin Marys emerged from the wings, stood over a box of straw (which was illuminated by a purple light) and waved to their relatives in the audience.…
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