The world needs me
Once upon a time, there were four people in a balloon - a scientist, a politician, a
professional sportsman and an artist.
Their balloon was too heavy and it was coming down over the Atlantic. How could they
avoid falling into the sea?
The scientist spoke to his companions: "we must make the balloon lighter" he said.
"One of us must jump out, but who? I don't intend to jump because the world needs me.
I'm the only one who can invent machines to make life easier, medicine to cure
diseases. Politician! I think you should jump, you're the heaviest".
"That's all very well" said the politician, "but the world needs me as well. I'm a leader; I
help people by making important decisions. I make laws which show people what they
must and mustn't do. I sell the scientist's machines abroad and make our country rich. I
daren't jump. I've got too much responsibility. What about you Sportsman?"
"Do be reasonable" said the sportsman. "It's no good asking me to jump. What would
the world do without me? The scientist's machines have made people lazy and bored.
Sport gives them plenty of exercise, and it's exciting too. And people never get tired
watching professional sportsman like me. Artist, you've been very quiet, what about
you?"
"Well," said the artist, "while you've been arguing, I've drawn a picture of all us, and
I've
put it in a bottle
. When we fall into the sea we'll probably die; but my picture won't.
My books, my paintings and
my music will last far longer than the scientist's machines
and the politician's speeches.
And remember, the world would be a very sad place
without them'.
The balloon fell into the sea. The sportsman started swimming towards the coast-two
hundred kilometers away. The scientist floated
in his back to save his energy. The
politician made his last speech and the artist watched his
bottle sail away into the
sunset.


According to you Who should jump ? and justify your answer