Just like a hammer is to a carpenter, so a good question is to a journalist. Here's an example:

Years ago when my son Simon was about 7, we were sitting outside and he saw the thin contrail of a jet transect the sky. “Where's it going?” he asked.

“Where's it going?! How the hell should I know,” I barked. He wasn't fazed. “Daddy," he said, "I thought that's what your job was.”

So I got on the phone and got the number of the airport manager. I told him a jet was just overhead going NW – SE at about 30,000 feet. Could he find out? After a couple of minutes on hold, he told me it was a Japan Airline flight from Heathrow to Hong Kong.

The best part of journalism is getting answers. Just like when a carpenter smacks down a nail with a big hefty hit. It just feels good.