Blake Hall
Someone uploaded this (anybody know the author?) to Reddit with the appropriate title “What’s good for the goose.”
They, of course, were implying the latter half of that idiom, which says “is good for the gander.” It means what’s good for the man is also good for the woman. Or, more broadly, what’s good for you is also good for someone who you’re cooperating or teaming up with. If you’re in it together — like you are when you join the military — then you look out for not just yourself, but for the others involved as well.
Here it is, in plain text:
A young lieutenant was passed by a private, who failed to salute. The lieutenant called him back, and said sternly:
“You did not salute me. For this you will immediately salute two hundred times.”
At this moment the General came up.
“What’s all this?” he exclaimed, seeing the poor private about to begin.
The lieutenant explained.
“This ignoramus failed to salute me, and as a punishment, I am making him salute two hundred times.”
“Quite right,” replied the General, smiling. “But do not forget, sir, that upon each occasion you are to salute in return.”
Not sure who wrote this parable/short story, but it’s not bad, right?
Then again, the whole thing could’ve been avoided if the private just saluted his superior. Just a simple gesture would’ve altered the entire trajectory of the tale.
Not to rag on the private, but come on: show simple gesture of respect.
Like Sam’s Club does with its military discount.
Easy.
Plus, anytime you can avoid having a lieutenant get mad at you … you do it.