[The committee debated]

The committee debated
the picture and each member was
listened to with the attention of
a sparrow waiting on a horse. The
final consensus went against it, as
the committee knew it would, but
as officials they felt the need
for full consideration before
releasing their decision. But you see,
the picture hung in an exposed
position on a fully illuminated
wall and of course the exhibit was
open to the public. The committee
solemnly agreed that for the children’s
sake something must be done, as one
imaginative woman said, we must protect
the little ones. The committee
studied the picture from all angles
and several of the men breathed deeply.
But the vote did not change because
possibly the children would notice it.
When they informed the artist, in the
kindest possible way, she said,
why don’t you put pants on a horse,
and gave each committee member a picture
postcard of the Alps in Winter.