Being a parent has to be one of the most challenging undertakings in life.
While parenting certainly brings with it many joys, it also can be a source of extreme stress. And sometimes when your child is throwing a tantrum, the only thing you can do is laugh, like with this child who cries for a hilarious reason.
So when I saw this story about a five-year-old who would not stop screaming on an airplane, I was glad it had a laugh-out-loud ending.
This funny story has been circulating all over the internet, and has been reprinted in several books, over the past several years. In it, a poor mother is unable to stop her child's tantrum right before a flight. Luckily, there is an Air Force General onboard, and he knows exactly what to do.
This story is now one of my new favorites. I love a good surprise ending!
What do you think of this General's parenting method? Let us know in the comments.
As a crowded airliner is about to take off, the peace is shattered by a 5-year-old boy who picks that moment to throw a wild temper tantrum.
No matter what his frustrated, embarrassed mother does to try to calm him down, the boy continues to scream furiously and kick the seats around him.
Suddenly, from the rear of the plane, an elderly man in the uniform of an Air Force General is seen slowly walking forward up the aisle.
Stopping the flustered mother with an upraised hand, the white-haired, courtly, soft-spoken General leans down and, motioning toward his chest, whispers something into the boy's ear.
Instantly, the boy calms down, gently takes his mother's hand, and quietly fastens his seat belt. All the other passengers burst into spontaneous applause.
As the General slowly makes his way back to his seat, one of the cabin attendants touches his sleeve.
"Excuse me, General," she asks quietly, "but could I ask you what magic words you used on that little boy?"
The old man smiles serenely and gently confides, "I showed him my pilot wings, service stars, and battle ribbons, and explained that they entitle me to throw one passenger out the plane door on any flight I choose."
This funny story just goes to show that sometimes you have to think outside the box when it comes to crying children.
Please SHARE if this story made you laugh out loud like it did for me!
