A Different Kind of Audience

Al Smith was governor of New York State. He was a famouse man. he was born very poor on the East Side of New York City. he had little education. He worked very hard and won great success.

One day, as governor, he was visiting the state prison at Sing Sing. Sing Sing is one of the largest prisons in the United States. The head of the prison asked Mr. Smith to say something to the prisoners. Mr. Smith had never spoken to this kind of audience before. He did not know how to begin.

Finally, he said, "My fellow citizens..." Then he remembered that when a man goes to prison he is no longer a citizen. he began again. "My fellow prisoners..." That did not sound right, so he said: "Well, anyway, I'm glad to see so many of you here today."