How To Recognise A Tall Poppy

Robert
Treborlang
Australia

How To Recognise A Tall Poppy
The ancient Greeks used to say that before the gods destroyed a man, they gave him everything he wished for. In a like vein, Tall Poppy is the designation given to successful people just before their enemies attempt to destroy them.

  You will hear a lot about Tall Poppies.

  All sorts of people will tell you that Tall Poppies, on the whole, are disliked, and that people turn against those who rise too high above others. Of course, being "poppies" they can only be a bit taller than the rest in the field. This is some comfort, perhaps, but of no consequence whatsoever to the "great Australian levellers" at work out in the field.

  You mustn't expect to meet anyone who admits to a personal dislike of Tall Poppies. By a strange quirk of circumstances, it seems that it is always other people, always the "jealous masses" who dislike Tall Poppies, never the speakers themselves.

  As no one has ever come out publicly against Tall Poppies, their general characteristics can only be guessed at. Here are a few I have managed to ascertain: Tall Poppies are just like you and me only more so. They're usually below or above average height. (This reputedly drives them harder). They never live overseas. If they did they would be known instead as 'Stars' - providing, of course, that once in a while they still called "home".

Copyright © 1991-2002 - Robert Treborlang

Robert
Treborlang
Australia

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