English Original
As a crowded airliner is about to take off, the peace is shattered by a five-year-old boy who throws a wild temper tantrum. No matter what his frustrated, embarrassed mother does to calm him, he 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, a cabin attendant 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's 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."
中文翻译
一架拥挤的客机即将起飞，宁静却被一个五岁小男孩打破了，他正大发脾气。无论他那沮丧又尴尬的母亲如何试图安抚他，男孩都继续愤怒地尖叫，踢着周围的座位。
突然，从飞机后部，一位身着空军将军制服的老人被看到正沿着过道缓缓向前走来。他抬起手示意那位慌张的母亲停下，这位白发苍苍、彬彬有礼、说话温和的将军俯下身，指了指自己的胸前，在小男孩耳边低语了几句。
男孩立刻安静下来，轻轻握住母亲的手，安静地系好了安全带。所有其他乘客都自发地鼓起掌来。
当将军慢慢走回座位时，一名机舱服务员碰了碰他的袖子。“打扰一下，将军，”她轻声问道，“我能问问您对那个小男孩说了什么神奇的话吗？”
老人安详地微笑着，轻声吐露道：“我给他看了我的飞行员徽章、服役星章和战斗绶带，并解释说，它们赋予我在任何我选择的航班上，将一名乘客扔出机门的权力。”