I was running a club of some sort and on the day of the
meeting many more people showed up to participate than I had expected; so I
needed to go to the shop to get some more supplies. I drove toward the main
shops but decided that Red Dot would be better to get everything all at once.
So I pulled up and parked.
I walked in and started to look around and the Prime
Minister (Julia Gillard) greeted me. I stood there stunned and said, "Err hello". Bewildered I
continued to shop thinking to myself, 'what the heck is the Prime Minister
doing serving in such a low class shop!? '. I kept peering at her to see what
she was doing and she was just working as a regular shop keeper would -
stacking shelves and tidying the shop.
I had finished shopping and went to the counter to pay &
she met me there. She asked me to sit down and talk to her, so I did. We
chatted about what I was doing and why I needed all the stuff I was buying. I
felt very comfortable in her company and we reclined and chatted like friends.
Then she said," I
want to ask you a serious question." So I braced myself to hear and
answer it the best I could. She asked,
"How did I view her in light of what I know about politics and how
government works?"
I thought about what I know about the Prime Minister (and
what I had just seen her doing) and what I know about politics and government,
then I answered:
"Firstly I was
shocked to see you serving in 'this' shop & I wondered why someone so
important would be doing such an ordinary job. Then I thought - well you are a
human just like me, willing to do whatever needs to be done where ever it needs
doing."
"Secondly I am an
at home Mum so I am afraid I don't understand your politics or the way the
government runs. I do have an opinion
but I am not educated on it. Sorry.
She listened intently and when I had finished she smiled and
thanked me. Then I said, "Mrs Prime
Minister, I am very honoured to meet you and it is an absolute privilege."
She said, "My pleasure."
Then I left.
