This is the story of Alfred, an everyday man who lived in the urbanized city of New York. Alfred was a very fortunate individual because he had been born into a very wealthy family. His father was a medical doctor, who studied and passed with honours at Harvard and his mother worked as an actress, acting in broadway and her image was frequently seen on massive billboards throughout the city. When Alfred was a small child, his father had told him to " earn" his living, and to " work" for what he wanted to inevitably become. He had great faith in his son, and believed that his son would surpass him in terms of success and prosperity. His mother had a siimilar view, and reminded Alfred that no matter what he would become, that he should maintain a strong sense of character and individualism within. As Alfred started school, they reminded him the importance of respect, courteous and work ethic as well as the notion of having fun and enjoying what he did. In a way, his parents had much faith and guided him throughout his life. One day, when Alfred and his family were attending his mother's performance at the Broadway theatre, a ragged homeless man approached them. " Please, if you chaps could kindly spare some money, I've been here for ages, and have little to feed myself with." At the grotesque sight of this ragged, dirty and foul looking man, the family shuddered, and quickly paced themselves towards the theatre. " Who was that man, daddy?" Alfred said with a look of confusion on his face. " Oh, that was one of the actors. He was just practicing for the play, which is going to start in a while. Come on now Alfred, let us make haste." And with that, they entered the broadway theatre. Now, this old and ragged man still continued to beg and plead for money, yet he was immensely ignored and disgraced by the hundreds of New Yorkers who walked by.
During that day, not one person paid attention to that old fellow, and he was forced to leave the streets by the Brooklyn police due to him being a " public nuisance." A few days had passed, and Alfred was on his way to school when, yet again, he encountered that same old man. " Please young one, you must understand that the winters are approaching and i have little to feed myself with. I understand and know how i look, but i beg of you to just spare me some..." but before he could finish, Alfred's father came running and shouting " STAY AWAY FROM MY SON YOU CREEP!" And with that, the old man ran away, frightened... and hungrier than ever. 10 years passed, and within, Alfred had never encountered that old man. He was a Christian now, and was quite devoted in his church. " I believe that i have found the right path to success through God's bidding and his word." Alfred would regularly preach on Sundays, and many friends would be in awe of him. " what a respectful, kind and genuine person!" They'd say. Alfred's father had passed away, and his mother was ill but alfred himself had strong faith and he believed that his life was very successful. He had passed college, and had worked as a lawyer, and had the most desirable wife, who just happened to work as an actress. He had never expected to see that old man until one day, as he was walking to earth, he caught a glimpse of an old looking fellow walking down the street. He looked extremely malnourished, was very wrinkly, and had been beaten quite badly. Alfred became nervous, and hurriedly made his way to the stop light and when it had turned white, he calmy walked across, trying to ignore the man. When he reached the end, he heard some commotion behind him. " that old man is going to get hit! Someone help him across!" He turned around and saw the old man. He had collapsed, and was crawling, begging for someone to help him across. Alfred panicked, and looked to his side- a large truck was approaching! And the driver didn't seem to notice the old man at all! Alfred thought to himself, " all my years, i've failed to help those in need, and cared so much about my own success, that i've ignored others who couldn't afford a chance at success. How stupid have i been!!" And so, risking his own life, he ran onto the street and pushed the old man away, only to be blindsided by the truck......
A few days later, Alfred's wife and family visited the hospital he was at. His doctors had told alfred about the severity of the damage. " you may never walk, talk or move your torso again. You'll have to be fed intravenously, and you have to take these pills daily." At this point, the family members bowed their heads. " He was so young, and had a bright future ahead. How could this have happened."
And so the lesson: Money is helpful- it can help you get food, water, clothing and can guide you through life, but it is the value of life which should be nurtured and protected the most. And what you do with your properity and how you treat others has a strong influence on what your character will be, and how others will look at you. Make the right decisions and prepare for the worst. Don't shy away from helping others and talking to them because it may double cross you in the end........
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