Because That’s the Way We’ve Always Done It!

The policemen had a job to do. They were patrolling the streets when their car had a flat tire. The spare was trashed. Useless. They had to attend the rally. The streets were full of people flushed with anger, gritty with indignation, and rife with determination. The roads were blocked. The air was thick with smoke and harsh words. People were dying from gun shot wounds, fights, and smoke inhalation.

“We have to get there, Bill.”

“We don’t have any transportation now. Let’s just go while we’re still alive!”

“We can’t leave the streets. We have a job to do. We must get over there by any means we can.”

“No. We have to go back to the station and get another squad car!”

“But why? Here are two perfectly good animals that will get us there quicker. Why do we have to get a squad car?”

“Because that’s the way we have always done it!”

Every police car and motorcycle had been destroyed by the rioting mobs. Interestingly, though, the big birds were left alone.

“Get more birds,” the police chief screamed into the coms. Hundreds of people were saved.

And that’s not how they had always done it.