Here's the breakdown:
* The Story: Cooke's Pulitzer-winning article, "Jimmy's World," was about an 8-year-old heroin addict named Jimmy. It was a harrowing account of his life and the struggles he faced in the inner city.
* The Investigation: Shortly after the article's publication, The Washington Post received numerous calls from people who doubted the story's authenticity. An investigation was launched, and it was revealed that Jimmy did not exist.
* The Revelation: Cooke confessed to fabricating the entire story. The Pulitzer Prize Board revoked the award, and Cooke resigned from The Washington Post.
This event is a significant example of journalistic ethics and the importance of fact-checking. It also highlighted the serious consequences of fabricating stories, even if they are well-written and impactful.