dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

Here's a truly inspirational story of success in America by an indigent immigrant. It just proves

what can result from ingenuity, hard work, and thrift.



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 market."



“What"s your name?” asked the executive.



“John H. Smith” was the reply.



The CEO arrives at the bank and asked 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."

Milosia2 Loc: Cleveland Ohio

Another great American Success story!

SWMBO

That is very funny, and well worth thinking about as you judge people by how you perceive them to be.

Wonttakeitanymore

The owner isf people’s disposal in California used to ride around on the trash truck once a week in his suit to see what his guys went they! Humble and rich