I was walking in the woods. I ran into Thomas Jefferson. He was carrying a box, wrapped in a bow.
“Which state is this?” he asked.
Michigan, I said.
“Hmm, I don’t know that one.”
What’s in the box, Thomas?
“A present for the country. By my calculations, you are about to celebrate our 240th birthday.”
Yep, thanks to your Declaration of Independence.
“My finest work. I love the written word. I always said, ‘I cannot live without books.’ ”
I know. It’s a famous expression.
“What are the most popular books of this time?”
There’s one called “Fifty Shades of Grey.”
“About the British and their chains of iniquity?”
It’s got chains in it, yes.
“What else can you tell me about our nation today? How closely do you hold to our original ideals?”

Read the entire conversation:
Mitch Albom: Mr. Jefferson pays a visit for the nation’s birthday http://on.freep.com/298J7Mg