The story was told about Louis Armstrong, who as a small boy was asked by his Aunt, Miss Allie May, to go down to the river and fetch a bucket of water and bring it back. When he went down to the river he saw a pair of eyes looking at him out of the water. Frightened he ran back to Miss Allie May who said, “Where’s the bucket of water Louis?” Louis answered, “There’s an alligator down there looking straight at me.” Miss Allie May replied, “Louis, that alligator has been there for years. As a matter of fact, that alligator is probably more afraid of you than you are of him.” Louis replied, “If that alligator is as afraid of me as I am of him that water ain’t fit to drink anyway!”

– Louis Armstrong Story