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+--- Thread: A Success Story (/showthread.php?tid=2829)
A Success Story - bebb - 06-20-2021
Here's a truly inspirational story of success in America by an indigent immigrant. It just proves
what can result from ingenuity, hard work, and thrift.
Every morning, the CEO of a large bank in Manhattan walks to the corner for a shoe shine. He
sits in an armchair, examines the Wall Street Journal and the shoe shiner buffs his shoes to a
mirror shine. One morning the shoe shiner asks the CEO: "What do you think about the situation
in the stock market?"
The man answered arrogantly, “Why are you so interested in that topic?”
The shoe guy replies, “I have millions in your bank,” he says, “and I'm considering investing some
of the money in the market."
“What"s your name?” asked the executive.
“John H. Smith” was the reply.
The CEO arrives at the bank and asked the Manager of the Customer Department; Do we have
a client named John H. Smith? "Certainly, answers the Customer Service Manager, "he is a high
net worth customer with 12.6 million dollars in his account." The executive comes out, approaches
the shoe shiner, and says, "Mr. Smith, I would like to invite you next Monday to be the guest of honor
at our board meeting and tell us the story of your life. I am sure we could learn something from your
life's experience." At the board meeting, the CEO introduces him to the board members. "We all know
Mr. Smith, from the corner shoe shine stand, but Mr. Smith is also an esteemed customer. I invited
him here to tell us the story of his life. I am sure we can learn from him."
Mr. Smith began his story.
"I came to this country fifty years ago as a young immigrant from Europe with an unpronounceable
name. I got off the ship without a penny. The first thing I did was change my name to Smith. I was
hungry and exhausted. I started wandering around looking for a job but to no avail. Fortunately, I
found a coin on the sidewalk. I bought an apple. I had two options, eat the apple and quench my
hunger or start a business. I sold the apple for 25 cents and bought two apples with the money. I also
sold them and continued in business. When I started accumulating a few dollars, I was able to buy a set
of used brushes and shoe polish and started polishing shoes. I didn't spend a penny on entertainment
or clothing, I just bought bread and some cheese to survive. I saved penny by penny and after a while,
I bought a new set of shoe brushes and polishes in different shades and expanded my clientele. I lived
like a monk and saved penny by penny. After a while, I was able to buy an armchair so my clients could
sit comfortably while I shined their shoes, and that brought me more clients. I did not spend a penny on
the joys of life. I kept saving every cent. A few years ago, when the previous shoe shiner on the corner
decided to retire, I had already saved enough money to buy his shoeshine location at this great place.
Finally, 6 months ago, my sister, who was a prostitute in Chicago, passed away and left me 12.6 million
dollars."