Today I had the privilege of reading some scholarship essays written by high school seniors. The writers were to address an ethical dilemma either in their community, in politics, or at school. There were some very well-thought-through discussions about immigration, cheating, stealing, bullying . . . the normal stuff. Many of the students had been taught how to put together a good argument, and I was impressed.
The most interesting one, however, dealt with flatulence. Yes, indeed. Flatulence. He (yes, he . . . no girl would touch the subject) first discussed passing wind, then proceeded to discuss the biology of flatulence, ending with the ethical dilemma of what to do if one passes gas. Leave the room was his answer.
Although many advisors tell their students to make their essays memorable, I doubt they considered that the people reading the essay would be old women and probably wouldn't think it was very funny. I did think it was clever . . . but given the seriousness of subject, this one just didn't pass the "smell" test! (I think the writer would have appreciated my sense of humor.)
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