15 How Wars Begin

The Stevenson family was having dinner. The family ate without talking for several minutes, then Tom said, “Daddy, do you know how wars begin? ”

Mr Stevenson thought for a moment,then he said,“Yes,I think so.I'll give you an example.We'll take two countries, Britain and the United States. If Britain fought with the United States...”

Mrs Stevenson laughed.“That's crazy, ”she said to her husband.“Britain and the United States have been friends for over two hundred years. They'll never fight.”

“Yes, I know that, ” Mr Stevenson said. “I was only using them as an example.”

“But they're not a good example, ” Mrs Stevenson said. “France and Germany are a better example.”

“Britain and the United States are the best example, ” Mr Stevenson replied.“They are friends now but they were enemies in the past. They fought a war! ”

“But that was a long time ago, ” Mrs Stevenson said. “You should use more modern examples.”

“And you should let me answer my son's question, ” Mr Stevenson said angrily.

“Not when you give him wrong answers, ” Mrs Stevenson said.

“I am not giving him wrong answers! ”Mr Stevenson shouted.“I am giving him perfectly good answers.”

“Don't shout at me! ” Mrs Stevenson cried. “I'm not one of your stupid friends.”

“My friends aren't stupid! ” Mr Stevenson stood up and walked angrily out the room.

“Now I'll answer your question, ” Mrs Stevenson said to her son.

“It's all right, Mom, ” he said. “You and Dad already have.”