Amazing True Story
This is a true story that had happened in 1892 at Stanford University.
It's moral is still relevant today.
A young, 18 year old student was struggling to pay his fees. He was
an orphan, and not knowing where to turn for money, he came up with
a bright idea. A friend and he decided to host a musical concert on
campus to raise money for their education.
They reached out to the great pianist Ignacy J. Paderewski. His
manager demanded a guaranteed fee of $2,000 for the piano recital. A
deal was struck. And the boys began to work to make the concert a
success.
The big day arrived. Paderewski performed at Stanford. But
unfortunately, they had not managed to sell enough tickets. The
total collection was only $1,600. Disappointed, they went to
Paderewski and explained their plight. They gave him the entire
$1,600, plus a cheque for the balance of $400. They promised to
honour the cheque soonest possible.
"No" said Paderewski. "This is not acceptable" He tore up the
cheque, returned the $1,600 and told the boys "Here's the $1,600.
Please deduct whatever expenses you have incurred. Keep the money
you need for your fees. And just give me whatever is left" The boys
were surprised, and thanked him profusely.
It was a small act of kindness. But it clearly marked out Paderewski
as a great human being. Why should he help two people he did not
even know? We all come across situations like these in our lives.
And most of us only think "If I help them, what would happen to me?"
The truly great people think, "If I don't help them, what will
happen to them?" They don't do it expecting something in return.
They do it because they feel it's the right thing to do.
Paderewski later went on to become the Prime Minister of Poland. He
was a great leader, but unfortunately when the World War began,
Poland was ravaged. There were over 1.5 million people starving in
his country, and no money to feed them.
Paderewski did not know where to turn for help. He reached out to
the US Food and Relief Administration for help.
The head was a man called Herbert Hoover - who later went on to
become the US President. Hoover agreed to help and quickly shipped
tons of food grains to fee the starving Polish people. A calamity
was averted.
Paderewski was relieved. He decided to go across to meet Hoover and
personally thank him. When Paderewski began to thank Hoover for his
noble gesture, Hoover quickly interjected and said, "You shouldn't
be thanking me, Mr. Prime Minister. You may not remember this, but
several years ago, you helped two young students go through college
in the US. I was one of them."
The world is a wonderful place. What goes around usually comes around.
From India, Bangalore
782This is a true story that had happened in 1892 at Stanford University.
It's moral is still relevant today.
A young, 18 year old student was struggling to pay his fees. He was
an orphan, and not knowing where to turn for money, he came up with
a bright idea. A friend and he decided to host a musical concert on
campus to raise money for their education.
They reached out to the great pianist Ignacy J. Paderewski. His
manager demanded a guaranteed fee of $2,000 for the piano recital. A
deal was struck. And the boys began to work to make the concert a
success.
The big day arrived. Paderewski performed at Stanford. But
unfortunately, they had not managed to sell enough tickets. The
total collection was only $1,600. Disappointed, they went to
Paderewski and explained their plight. They gave him the entire
$1,600, plus a cheque for the balance of $400. They promised to
honour the cheque soonest possible.
"No" said Paderewski. "This is not acceptable" He tore up the
cheque, returned the $1,600 and told the boys "Here's the $1,600.
Please deduct whatever expenses you have incurred. Keep the money
you need for your fees. And just give me whatever is left" The boys
were surprised, and thanked him profusely.
It was a small act of kindness. But it clearly marked out Paderewski
as a great human being. Why should he help two people he did not
even know? We all come across situations like these in our lives.
And most of us only think "If I help them, what would happen to me?"
The truly great people think, "If I don't help them, what will
happen to them?" They don't do it expecting something in return.
They do it because they feel it's the right thing to do.
Paderewski later went on to become the Prime Minister of Poland. He
was a great leader, but unfortunately when the World War began,
Poland was ravaged. There were over 1.5 million people starving in
his country, and no money to feed them.
Paderewski did not know where to turn for help. He reached out to
the US Food and Relief Administration for help.
The head was a man called Herbert Hoover - who later went on to
become the US President. Hoover agreed to help and quickly shipped
tons of food grains to fee the starving Polish people. A calamity
was averted.
Paderewski was relieved. He decided to go across to meet Hoover and
personally thank him. When Paderewski began to thank Hoover for his
noble gesture, Hoover quickly interjected and said, "You shouldn't
be thanking me, Mr. Prime Minister. You may not remember this, but
several years ago, you helped two young students go through college
in the US. I was one of them."
The world is a wonderful place. What goes around usually comes around.
From India, Bangalore
Dear Sri Balaji,
A very great story indeed.
It is about two great people and their greatness.
Another great thing is that the story reveals the
benevolent and the grateful behaviour.
Qualities like Charity,Gratefulness etc are time tested virtues.
Hope readers would enjoy the attachment showing some of the
Thirukurals ( more than two millennium years old)
to match the story that you have posted.
Thanks for the post.
V.Raghunathan
From India
A very great story indeed.
It is about two great people and their greatness.
Another great thing is that the story reveals the
benevolent and the grateful behaviour.
Qualities like Charity,Gratefulness etc are time tested virtues.
Hope readers would enjoy the attachment showing some of the
Thirukurals ( more than two millennium years old)
to match the story that you have posted.
Thanks for the post.
V.Raghunathan
From India
Thank you Mr. Balaji for posting this true story. You are right, it is relevant even today not just in our professional life but in our personal life too. Regards, r.s.patwardhan
From India, Mumbai
From India, Mumbai
Generally we received what we gives, many times we didn’t at the same time but we received the same whatever it is good or bad if the future.
From India, Pune
From India, Pune
Dear Balaji, Thanks for posting the wonderful true story. I personally feel that such acts make the world go round. Especially, acts which are dictated by the heart and without expecting anything in return. And, such stories are bound to inspire and give that little required push to the ones, who stands weighing at the threshold.
Thanks once again.
From India, Hyderabad
Thanks once again.
From India, Hyderabad
Dear Hgsrivara,
It only takes a bit of trouble to search the source. For example, by Googling, I found a different version at The Tribune - Magazine section - Saturday Extra
Dear Sumon63,
Before taking issues about correctness, we should take great care to read and digest the contents. For example, the text does not say that Hoover was the President of USA at that time, but goes on to become the President at a later date.
From United Kingdom
It only takes a bit of trouble to search the source. For example, by Googling, I found a different version at The Tribune - Magazine section - Saturday Extra
Dear Sumon63,
Before taking issues about correctness, we should take great care to read and digest the contents. For example, the text does not say that Hoover was the President of USA at that time, but goes on to become the President at a later date.
From United Kingdom
The story is nice and above all very true - as always I first verified the truth of the story before appreciating or commenting. there are several sources that supports and approves the story including official US History site - http://www.ushistory.org/more/hoover.htm
above all it is the goodness of humanity that we are trying to share and kindle - and its more the merrier !
From India, Bangalore
above all it is the goodness of humanity that we are trying to share and kindle - and its more the merrier !
From India, Bangalore
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