THE GINGHAM DRESS
jabberclarks.blogspot.com/ old photo collection
A lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in a homespun threadbare suit, stepped off the train in Boston , and walked timidly without an appointment into the Harvard University President’s outer office.
The secretary could tell in a moment that such backwoods, country hicks had no business at Harvard & probably didn’t even deserve to be in Cambridge .
“We’d like to see the president,” the man said softly.
“He’ll be busy all day,” the secretary snapped.
“We’ll wait,” the lady replied.
For hours the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would finally become discouraged and go away.
They didn’t, and the secretary grew frustrated and finally decided to disturb the president, even though it was a chore she always regretted.
“Maybe if you see them for a few minutes, they’ll leave,” she said to him!
He sighed in exasperation and nodded. Someone of his importance obviously didn’t have the time to spend with them, and he detested gingham dresses and homespun suits cluttering up his outer office.
The president, stern faced and with dignity, strutted toward the couple.
The lady told him, “We had a son who attended Harvard for one year. He loved Harvard. He was happy here. But about a year ago, he was accidentally killed. My husband and I would like to erect a memorial to him, somewhere on campus.”
The president wasn’t touched. He was shocked.
“Madam,” he said, gruffly, “we can’t put up a statue for every person who attended Harvard and died. If we did, this place would look like a cemetery.”
“Oh, no,” the lady explained quickly. “We don’t want to erect a statue. We thought we would like to give a building to Harvard.”
The president rolled his eyes. He glanced at the gingham dress and homespun suit, then exclaimed, “A building! Do you have any earthly idea how much a building costs? We have over seven and a half million dollars in the physical buildings here at Harvard.”
For a moment the lady was silent. The president was pleased. Maybe he could get rid of them now.
The lady turned to her husband and said quietly, “Is that all it cost to start a university? Why don’t we just start our own? “
Her husband nodded. The president’s face wilted in confusion and bewilderment.
Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford got up and walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California where they established the university that bears their name, Stanford University, a memorial to a son that Harvard no longer cared about.
You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them.
A TRUE STORY by Malcolm Forbes
“People will forget what you said; People will forget what you did.
But people will never forget how you made them feel.” Amen
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Oh wow, what an awesome story – I did not know that! So cool!
So now you knew, hehehe… Thanks Julie and I’m happy you like it
Reblogged this on LifeRevelation and commented:
This is a great one…I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.
Be encouraged!
Just reblogged this at liferevelation.wordpress.com…what an awesome post…thanks
Be encouraged!
Thank you so much
Great story Dolly, really good.
Thanks Kim, I’m happy you like it
That was one great story. I am sure there are more like that. Thank you.
You’re very welcome Bea and thank you so much for your sharing your thoughts with us
There are always two sides to a story but this one is well written.
Thanks so much Baghead for leaving a thought about this post
Great story. Makes me wish I had gone to Stanford when I had the chance; c’est la vie.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us
AMEN!
Thank you… Amen too
What a delightful story….
I agree with you Carol, Thanks
What a phenomenoal story and lesson for all of us.
Very true, thanks Juwanna
I love stories like this, full of insight!
Thanks Marianne
Wao…a true inspiration.
You’re very welcome and thanks for your visit
I had the same rude experience when I wore my gingham suit to a very exclusive restaurant. Finally, after being kept waiting for hours, I took out the nickel and three pennies I had in my pocket and told the maitre d’: “See this money? Well, phooey to you, I’m gonna spend it at the Lemons R Us Café where I always get respect!!”
Guess I told them! : P
You really are something Mark, hehehe
Way to go! I like that kind of attitude… No wonder Toothsome is always so proud of Mac Giggles
Yep, that’s a good one. Love it.
Thanks Stuart
I’m glad you love it!
That’s a nice post.
Thanks
Reblogged this on Wealthymatters and commented:
NB:Don’t judge by appearances.
Thanks so much for the re-blogged wealthymatters
Not alt all.The pleasure and gain was truly all mine.
That is such a great story. It’s made my day. Thank you for bringing a smile to my face
You’re very welcome my dear
And thanks for your visit too. Have a great day!
Incredible! I didn’t know this, thanks so much for sharing.
Now that’s an inspiring story!
Ashley