Do you admire rich people? What qualities do you think rich people have?

There was a businessman who was deep in debt (债务) and could see no way out. He sat on a bench (长椅) in the park, head in his hands.

Suddenly, an old man appeared before him. “I can see that something is troubling you,” he said. After listening to the businessman’s story, the old man put a check (支票) in the man’s hand, saying, “Take it and pay me back here exactly one year from today.” Then he turned and disappeared as quickly as he had come.

The businessman saw in his hand a check for US＄500,000 signed (签名) by John Rockefeller, one of the richest men in the world!

“I can pay off my debt!” he realized. But instead, the businessman decided to save the check in his safe (保险箱). Just knowing it was there might give him the power to save his business, he thought.

He went back and worked hard to make his business successful. Soon, he was out of debt and making money again.

Exactly one year later, he returned to the park with the check. At the agreed-upon (定好的) time, the old man appeared. Behind the old man was a nurse. The nurse spoke to the businessman and said that the old man was mentally (心理的) ill and was always telling people he was John D. Rockefeller.

The businessman was surprised to hear this. All year long he had been buying and selling, believing that he had half a million dollars behind him. Suddenly, he realized that it wasn’t the money that had turned his life around. It was his self-confidence (自信) that gave him the power to achieve anything he went after.

Recently, my daughter reminded me of someone we saw at the train station a few years ago.

That day, my daughter and I were waiting for our train. We went to buy some drinks, and then we saw the old man. Dressed poorly, he was standing in front of the counter (柜台) while counting coins slowly to buy just one bottle of water. The businessman behind him said impatiently, “Hey! Can’t you be quick? Some of us have a train to catch!” Hearing this, the old man seemed to be very embarrassed, so he walked away quietly at once.

It was my turn. I bought our two drinks and the old man’s water as well. We walked up to him and gave him the water with a smile. After walking away, my daughter complained, “Dad, the old man is so impolite. He didn’t even say ‘thank you’ to us!” I told her that we did this not to get a “thank you” from other people. We just wanted to be nice.

Now, my daughter always reaches out to help people. She waves, makes eye contact (接触) and says “hi” to people on the street. She holds doors for people. She scoops up things that other people drop.

When I mentioned this recently, she seemed surprised. I asked her why she was so kind all the time. She said, “Because it is just right to be that way.” Then she added, “And because I see you do that all the time.”

I know these last few weeks have been difficult. There are so many exams over the end of the school year. Sometimes I also feel stressed after a long day’s work but I can’t help wondering if I do enough. Do I prepare you for the road ahead? Could I have done more?

I hope I make your way to high school much easier.

I hope I prepare both your road ahead and your heart.

I hope my strictness makes you stronger.

I hope my kindness makes you feel safe.

I hope my classroom is a place where you learn knowledge and make long-life friends.

At the moment, you are taking the exam. I know you may feel nervous to do well. But, please, do remember that among you, there is an artist who doesn’t need to understand Physics.

There is a successful businessman, who doesn’t care about History or Math.

There is a musician, whose Chemistry grade won’t matter.

There is a sportsperson, whose health is more important than P.E. grades.

If you fail the exam, tell yourself it’s OK! It’s just an exam! Take a rest, work on your weakness and move on.

If you fail the exam, tell yourself it’s OK! It’s just an exam! Protect your pride, believe in future success and move on. Don’t let it take away your dreams or talents.

Please do this, and when you do, you will control the world one day.

With warm regards,

Your teacher