(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
As I am approaching my 300th post on this blog, I thought that something quite different would be in order: an old joke that continues to surprise by its longevity:
A man in a hot air balloon over the countryside realized he was
lost. He reduced his altitude and spotted a woman below. Descending a bit
more he shouted: “Excuse me, can you help? I promised a friend I would meet
him an hour ago but I don’t know where I am”. The woman replied, “You’re in
a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above the ground, between 40/41
degrees latitude, North, and 59/60 degrees longitude, west.” “You must be a
middle-grade Official”, said the balloonist. “I am”, replied the woman, “How
did you know?”.
“Well”, answered the balloonist, “everything you told me is technically correct but I have no idea what to make of your
information and the fact is, I am still lost. Frankly, you’ve not been much
help at all. If anything, you have delayed my trip.” The woman responded,
“You must be a Senior Official”. “Yes indeed”, replied the balloonist, “but
how did you know?” he asked. “Well, well…” replied the woman, “you don’t
know where you are or where you are going. You have risen to where you are
due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise which you have no
idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems.
The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met,
but now, somehow, it’s my fault”.
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 
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