German air raids on Moscow in World War II

[mouseonmoon]

One winter night during one of the many German air raids on Moscow in World War II, a distinguised Soviet professor of statistics showed up in his local air-raid shelter. He had never appeared there before. "There are seven million people in Moscow," he used to say. "Why should I expect them to hit me?" His friends were astonished to see him and asked what had happened to change his mind.
"Look," he explained, "there are seven million people in Moscow and one elephant. Last night they got the elephant."
--Peter L. Bernstein in "Against The Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk"

 

[somy]

!

Sorry for the silly question but...
what did you mean by the story?!

 

[tacman]

This anecdote highlights the unpredictable and indiscriminate nature of war, particularly in regards to air raids. The professor's previous belief that he would not be a target due to the large population of Moscow was shattered when he saw that even the one elephant in the city was not spared. This serves as a reminder that in times of war, no one is truly safe and that the consequences are often beyond our control. It also emphasizes the importance of being prepared and taking precautions, as even the most unlikely targets can be hit. Overall, this story serves as a powerful commentary on the devastating and unpredictable effects of war.