From: Gim Ong <gimcong@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: September 19, 2021 8:17 PM
Subject: Fw: An inspirational story...
Every morning, the CEO of a large bank in Manhattan walks to the corner for
a shoeshine. 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
capital market."
"What's your name? " asked the executive. John H. Smith was the reply.
The CEO arrives at the bank and asks 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 shoeshine 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."
