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Showing posts from December, 2017

the circle of kindness

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In 1892 at Stanford University, an 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. He and a friend 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 $2000  for the piano recital. A deal was struck and the boys  began to work to make the concert a success.  The big day arrived. But unfortunately, they had not  managed to sell enough tickets. The total collection was  only $1600. Disappointed, they went to Paderewski and  explained their plight.  They gave him the entire $1600, plus a cheque for the  balance $400. They promised to honour the cheque at  the soonest possible. “No,” said Paderewski.  “This is not acceptable.” He tore up the cheque, returned the  $1600 and told the two boys: “Here’s the $1600.  Please deduct whatever ex