Jacinda Ardern’s response to a little girl’s question about dragons is the best thing
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- Hollie Richardson
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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern champions a little girl’s interest in physics and dragons…
Why can’t more politicians be like Jacinda Ardern? It’s a question we’ve asked before about the world’s youngest female leader, and the latest news around her has prompted us to ask it again.
Proving once more to be a down-to-earth and compassionate leader, committed to building a future for females, Ardern recently wrote a brilliant letter to an inquisitive and bright young girl.
The 11-year-old, called Victoria, had contacted the New Zealand Prime Minister asking for help in gaining telekinetic powers so that she could become a dragon trainer. She also attached NZ$5 (£2.50) to the letter as a ‘bribe’.
Ardern then responded on an official letterhead, writing: “We were very interested to hear your suggestions about psychics and dragons, but unfortunately we are not currently doing any work in either of those areas! I am therefore returning your bribe money, and I wish you all the very best in your quest for telekinesis, telepathy and dragons.”
She then added in her own handwriting: “P.S. I’ll still keep an eye out for those dragons. Do they wear suits?”
The letter was shared by Victoria’s brother on Reddit who explained that his sister had originally told the Prime Minister that she wanted to find out what the government knew about dragons and if she could train any that they had found by learning to use telekinetic powers. He said that she had been inspired by Netflix series Stranger Things (haven’t we all?).
The prime minister’s office (PMO) has since confirmed to the BBC that Ardern’s 30 April reply is the real deal.
News of the letter came on the same week that Ardern said she cannot understand America’s failure to ban automatic and semi-automatic guns, despite dozens of mass shootings.
In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Wednesday (15 May), she said: “Australia experienced a massacre and changed its laws. New Zealand has had its experience and changed its laws. To be honest with you, I don’t understand the United States.”
She is currently in Paris lobbying countries and global tech companies to sign the “Christchurch Call”, which is a voluntary pledge that aims to eradicate terrorist and violent content online in the wake of the worst mass shooting in New Zealand’s modern history.
Images: Reddit and Getty