A Funny thing Happened on the Way to Yakima

Imagine sitting on a tiny plane for a 26-minute flight from Seattle to Yakima, Washington. As customary, I hopped in my window seat and immediately tried to doze off. About halfway into the flight, the lady next to me asked, “So what do you do?”

I said, “I’m a professional speaker.”

She quickly burst into laughter and said, “How can that be? You have not said one word to me this entire flight!”

Needless to say, we started talking. We traded experiences and I told her the different countries in which I have spoken. Then, with a puzzled look, she blurted out, “You’re famous.”

I laughed and said, “I’m not famous. I just speak a lot.”

She demanded, “No, you ARE famous. You just don’t want to admit it.”

I continued saying, “I’m not famous. Trust me, I’m NOT famous.”

We had a great conversation and then the flight landed in Yakima. We got off and headed for baggage claim. As I came around the corner, there was a sizable congregation of people (Toastmasters from Washington State) excitedly welcoming me with open arms. I glanced back at the lady from the plane and she smiled and mouthed the words, “I told you so!”