srbalaji
782

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
V.Raghunathan
1330

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
Attached Files (Download Requires Membership)
File Type: pptx Charity Greatness and Kural.pptx (545.3 KB, 153 views)

envirocarelabs
12

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
Manoj Dangwal 1
2

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
hgsrivara
8

This proves that earth is round. OK by the way where does Mr Balaji collects such beautiful stories. I liked his earlier story of DanaShoora Karna. If he has posted other stories, I request for the site address
From India, Bangalore
sumon63
The story was good but not correct.Herbert Hoover was President of US from 4.3.1929 tjo 4.3.1933 and WW-I ended in 1919. Sorry to disappoint you, but true stories needs to be true.
From India, Kolkata
Udoy
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
nashbramhall
1624

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
srbalaji
782

Dear Sumon63 I fully endorse views of Mr Simhan.The message is very much important than dates.Whether it true or imaginary does not make much difference.
From India, Bangalore
indrajitch
1

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
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