The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THERE IS A STORY TOLD OF A YOUNG IRISH SCHOOLTEACHER,
CAME TO THE UNITED STATES, WANTING TO MAKE A GOOD
IMPRESSION IN THE NEW SCHOOL DURING THE CHRISTMAS
CARD SALE. OFFERED A NEW SILVER DOLLAR TO THE STUDENT
WHO COULD NAME THE GREATEST MAN IN THE WORLD! HANDS SHOT
UP QUICKLY. ONE BRIGHT LAD REPLIED, "I THINK IT WAS
GEORGE WASHINGTON, BECAUSE HE WAS OUR FIRST PRESIDENT
OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY." "YES," SAID THE TEACHER IN A
SMILING TONE OF VOICE,"BUT HE WAS NOT THE GREATEST."
"I KNOW," SHOUTED ANOTHER YOUNG BOY, "ABRAHAM
LINCOLN, BECAUSE HE FREED THE SLAVES." "OH, YES, HE
WAS A VERY GREAT MAN, BUT I DON'T THINK HE WAS THE
GREATEST MAN." A LITTLE JEWISH BOY GOT UP AND SAID,
"TEACHER, I KNOW WHO THE GREATEST MAN IN THE WORLD
WAS, ST. PATRICK." AND A BEFORE HE COULD FINISH
SPEAKING, THE TEACHER SAID, HERE IS YOUR NEW SILVER
DOLLAR, BECAUSE ST. PATRICK WAS THE GREATEST MAN
IN THE WORLD."
AT RECESS TIME, THE CLASS CENTERED AROUND THE WINNER
AND SAID, "HOW DID YOU EVER WIN, YOU KNOW ST.
PATRICK WAS NOT THE GREATEST MAN IN THE WORLD."
THE LITTLE JEWISH BOY REPLIED, "I KNOW IT, BUT--
BUSINESS IS BUSINESS!"

Where learned: MINNESOTA ; SAINT PAUL

Date learned: NOT GIVEN