Slapstick

by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Life, ideally, I think, should be like the Minuet or the Virginia Reel or the Turkey Trot, something easily mastered in a dancing school.

We thought it was more likely, though, that the framers had not noticed that it was natural, and therefore almost inevitable, that human beings in extraordinary and enduring situations should think of themselves as composing new families.

“History is merely a list of surprises,” I said. “It can only prepare us to be surprised yet again. Please write that down.”