No trivial pursuit

     

     I'm always pleased to welcome the month of April, knowing it will soon be heralding the beauties of springtime. 

     As a child, I liked the ditty, "April showers bring mayflowers." 

     

     I looked with expectancy for the first, tiny blossoms of the aroma-filled mayflower plants, that began to appear throughout the wooded areas, near my New Brunswick home. These still remain as some of my earliest springtime memories. 

     The words of King Solomon also come to mind at this time of year. 

     "See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land." 

— Song of Songs 2:11

  
     

     April is also exam writing time for university students.  Many are looking forward with great relief, to a break from the books and the pressures of higher learning. Some, will be welcoming graduation day, and that long, sought after degree. 
     

     Others — like my grandsons Nathan and Brayden — will be searching out summer employment, to aid their return to classes in the fall. Granddaughter Sarah will enjoy her "grand finish" and much-deserved teaching degree.  

     According to statistics, many graduate over-qualified for the jobs available. Though there has been a recent job growth in the younger age range, there remains a skilled labour shortage. Workers have recently been imported from Ireland to fill the void. 

     Perhaps, instead of pursuing a university degree, college or technical school training might be a wise choice for some of today's youth, looking to be more assured of employment following graduation.   

     Speaking of exam time — consider the following answers given by a brilliant student who obtained 0 per cent on the following test:  

• 1. In which battle did Napoleon die?  

Answer: His last battle.  

• 2. Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?  

Answer: At the bottom of the page.  

• 3. River Ravi flows in which state? 

Answer: Liquid.  

• 4. What is the main reason for divorce?  

Answer: Marriage.  

• 5. What is the main reason for failure?  

Answer: Exams.  

• 6. What can you never eat for breakfast?  

Answer: Lunch and dinner.  

• 7. What looks like half an apple?  

Answer: The other half.  

• 8. How can a man go eight days without sleeping? 

Answer: No problem, he sleeps at night.  

• 9. If you had three apples and four oranges in one hand, and four apples and three oranges in the other hand, what would you have?  

Answer: Very large hands. 

• 10. How can you drop a raw egg on to a concrete floor without cracking it?  

Answer: Concrete floors are very hard to crack... Groan!!!  


— beulah