Shells are all the same

Posted by Mohoo on May 19, 2005

In Reply to: Shells are all the same posted by Arthur on May 18, 2005

: : I want to know the meaning of the phrase "shells are all the same", and the context is as following:

: : It was a dangerous job. One day, Hemingway and two other reporters were driving a car near a battlefield. The car carried two white flags. But rebel gunners thought the car was carrying enemy officers. Hemingway was almost killed. He said, "shells are all the same. If they do not hit you, there is no story. If they do hit you, then you do not have to write it."

: It seems pretty clear that the shells mentioned here are artillery shells. Each artillery shell fired at Hemingway was the same; all that changed was whether it hit him or not.

thanks, and I think I catch your meaning now.but I have got another question,too.
why he do not have to write it, if they do hit him.

I couldn't think that out.

please help me again.

thanks

• Shells are all the same R. Berg 19/May/05
  • Shells are all the same Mohoo 20/May/05