Amazing True Story
This is a true story that happened in 1892 at Stanford University. Its 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. 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 honor 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 feed 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
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782This is a true story that happened in 1892 at Stanford University. Its 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. 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 honor 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 feed 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
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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 behavior. 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
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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 behavior. 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
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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
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From India, Mumbai
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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
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From India, Pune
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This proves that Earth is round. By the way, where does Mr. Balaji collect such beautiful stories? I liked his earlier story of DanaShoora Karna. If he has posted other stories, I request the site address.
From India, Bangalore
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From India, Bangalore
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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
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From India, Kolkata
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Dear Balaji,
Thanks for posting the wonderful true story. I personally feel that such acts make the world go round, especially acts that are dictated by the heart and without expecting anything in return. Such stories are bound to inspire and give that little required push to those who stand weighing at the threshold.
Thanks once again.
From India, Hyderabad
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Thanks for posting the wonderful true story. I personally feel that such acts make the world go round, especially acts that are dictated by the heart and without expecting anything in return. Such stories are bound to inspire and give that little required push to those who stand weighing at the threshold.
Thanks once again.
From India, Hyderabad
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Dear Hgsrivara,
It only takes a bit of effort to search for the source. For example, by Googling, I found a different version at The Tribune - Magazine section - Saturday Extra.
Dear Sumon63,
Before addressing issues of correctness, we should take great care to read and understand the contents. For instance, the text does not mention that Hoover was the President of the USA at that time, but rather indicates that he went on to become the President at a later date.
From United Kingdom
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It only takes a bit of effort to search for the source. For example, by Googling, I found a different version at The Tribune - Magazine section - Saturday Extra.
Dear Sumon63,
Before addressing issues of correctness, we should take great care to read and understand the contents. For instance, the text does not mention that Hoover was the President of the USA at that time, but rather indicates that he went on to become the President at a later date.
From United Kingdom
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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
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From India, Bangalore
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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 support and approve the story, including the 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 it's more the merrier!
From India, Bangalore
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Above all, it is the goodness of humanity that we are trying to share and kindle - and it's more the merrier!
From India, Bangalore
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excellent and amazing story !! Law of Karma at its best !! What you sow so shall you reap.... very inspiring and wish people keep their feet firmly on the ground.
From United Arab Emirates, Dubai
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From United Arab Emirates, Dubai
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SPKR Happy new year SRBALAJI Helping a needy person is a divinity and selfless act. You have done a great job by posting this incidence, which is really eye opener. Regards
From India, Bangalore
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From India, Bangalore
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Hi everyone,
A good post from Mr. S.R. Balaji. The story brings to the fore the great qualities of two famous personalities. Thirukkural, one of the greatest works in the Tamil language created by the famous poet Thiruvalluvar, has extensively covered both the underlying themes, namely HELPING and GRATITUDE. I have the pleasure of sharing the relevant couplets with all our readers.
V. Raghunathan
From India
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A good post from Mr. S.R. Balaji. The story brings to the fore the great qualities of two famous personalities. Thirukkural, one of the greatest works in the Tamil language created by the famous poet Thiruvalluvar, has extensively covered both the underlying themes, namely HELPING and GRATITUDE. I have the pleasure of sharing the relevant couplets with all our readers.
V. Raghunathan
From India
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