“Some people strengthen society just by being the people they are.”

– John Gardner, American novelist and educator

“What’s that?”

A bell on the newswire had just sounded.

“The bells means an important story is coming down,” explained my news director. It was my first day on the job as news reporter for a small, local radio station. Sure enough, the newswire came to life with a loud and jarring chatter and began typing a story of some significance on the roll of yellow newsprint.    

“Does the bell ring often?” I asked.

“Oh yes,” she replied. “If it rings a few times, that means an important story – likely national or international – is coming down the wire.”

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