The prime minister and some members of his cabinet went on a fact-finding mission to some institutions.
The first to visit was to a school. There the teachers complained about a lack of funds, but the prime minister explained that unfortunately there was no budget available to help set up new classes or pay for extra teachers.
Next they visited a university and there too the Dean complained that further research was hindered because they didn’t get enough funding. Once again the prime minister apologised and blamed it on the financial climate.
The final visit was to a prison. There as well both the prisoners as the guards complained about the harsh conditions.
Straight away the prime minister turned to his secretary and ordered him to make a full list of what was needed to improve the situation and to see to it that the funds for them would be transferred as soon as possible.
On the way back home, his entourage asked the prime minister how it was that for the schools and university there was no money, whilst for the prison there was?
“Simple”, said the prime minister,
“to school, we have been already,
to university we will no longer go,
but to prison, there is a good chance we will land up there one day!”