Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God was missing for six days. Eventually Michael the archangel found him, resting on the seventh day. The Archangel asked God, "Where have you been?"
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God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds. "Look Michael, look what I've made." Archangel Michael look puzzled and said, "What is it?"
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It's a planet" replied God, "and I've put LIFE on it. I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."
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"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused.
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God explained, pointing to different parts of Earth. "For example, Northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe is going to be poor; the Middle East over there will be a hot spot and the Antarctica in the South will be very cold. Over there I've placed a continent of white people and over there is a continent of black people."
God continued pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot and arid, while this one will be very cold and covered in ice."
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The Archangel impressed by God's work, then pointed to a large area (Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, etc) and asked, "What's that one?"
"Ah," said God, "That's the SOUTH, the most glorious place on Earth. There are beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers, streams, and an exquisite coastline. The people from there are going to be modest, intelligent, and humorous, and they're going to be found traveling the world. They'll be extremely sociable, hardworking, and high-achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace. A truly great people."
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> Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there will be BALANCE!" ...
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> God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the loudmouth, obnoxious people I'm putting north of them... Yankees!
(actually I'm half Michigan hillbilly and half Cherokee!)
