Rocky was a great running back, but a really poor high-school student.
At graduation, he didn’t have enough credits. But he was a great football star, so his fellow students held a rally and demanded the principal give him his diploma anyway.
They were so insistent the principal agreed if Rocky could answer one question correctly, the athlete would graduate.
The one-question test was held in the auditorium. All the students packed the place. It was standing-room only.
The principal called Rocky to join him on-stage. Holding the diploma in his hand, he said, “Rocky, if you can answer this question correctly I’ll give you your diploma.”
Rocky said he was ready. The auditorium was tense.
“Rocky,” the principal said, “How much is three times seven?”
Rocky fidgeted. He looked up at the ceiling, then down at his shoes … pondering the question.
The auditorium erupted with students chanting, “Graduate him anyway! Graduate him anyway!”
But, Rocky held up his hand, and the auditorium fell silent.
“I think … I know the answer,” Rocky said. “Three times seven is twenty-one.”
A hush fell over the auditorium.
Then, as one, the students rose to their feet and began chanting: “Give him another chance! … Give him another chance!”
