January  12,  2021

Thought for the Day

“A humble clerk in Whitehall had a bright idea one day.  In his office were scores of ancient files crammed with out dated and wholly worthless  correspondence.  Why not burn the lot, and thus make room for recent letters?

“Greatly daring, the clerk ventured to suggest this, doing so in true bureaucratic style, for he submitted his proposal in the form of a chit which was duly sent to his immediate superior.

“As that individual heartily agreed, he endorsed that chit, and forwarded it to his superior, who sent it to another department.  Thus the idea worked its way to the supreme authority, and in the fullness of time, the chit returned to the humble clerk.

“’Your recommendation is approved, declared the Big Chief. The files you referred to in your communication of the 8^th may be destroyed provided that copies are made of all papers beforehand.’”