Do Juneau How Stupid You Sound

(We are learning the names of countries and states in French. The teacher pulls down a large map of North America and begins lecture.)

Student: “Wait, where’s Alaska?”

Teacher: “What?”

Student: “Alaska!”

(The teacher points to Alaska. This particular map is large enough that it has Alaska in its proper place above Canada, as opposed to in a box separately.)

Student: “But Alaska is an island!”

(Everyone is confused and silent.)

Student: “Next to Hawaii! Haven’t you ever seen a map of the United States?”

(It dawns on us that many maps have Alaska next to Hawaii on a corner of the map to save space.)

Class: “You thought Alaska was an ISLAND?”