A story for the ages ..... never know who can teach

I was told a story once by a man that no one ever seemed to stop and listen to..... One day, I was in a rush and didn't want to be late so as I approached this man, I could only think that I am going to be late and I do not want this man to say anything to me today. When I saw him, I immediately started to look for ways that our path would not cross. I did not want to walk by him on the same side of the street and even more, I did not want him to say a word to me for fear that this smelly, poorly dressed, dirty old man would try something with me and not just make me late for work, but I even thought he might try to harm me.

As I approached him on this day, I looked and decided to say hello. Once I said hello, he said let me tell you something... I have been waiting on you to come down here so that I could let you know this ... at that point he grabbed my arm and I was totally shocked and even frightened by his movements. Then I said to him what do you have to tell me that is so important this morning....Quickly ... now .... hurry up before I am late. He just sat down and looked into his hand for a moment while wiping his brow with the other one. I then looked at him a little perplexed but I was unaware that he was about to speak ... so I just began to walk off when I felt a tug at my arm..... he then said "look at me boy look at me .... "

At that point, I thought to myself what is it that he could possibly want ... what is it .....

Then he just looked at me and said thanks..... then I wondered again what does this man want ... so I said excuse me sir .... is there something that you want to say ... I would love to hear what you have on your mind.... then at that moment, he said to me ... you know I often wondered what it felt like to be treated with the respect of man not on the street but a man. So this is what I have to say to you .... " You can never truly tell someone how nice their house is, if you never took the time to straighten your own." I know this sounds odd ... so I asked what ... then he quietly looked at me and said ... "How can you demand respect from those different from you when you never respected those that are like you? In other words young man .... always remember that you are what you represent .... and until you truly figure out what you represent ... can you truly figure out who you are".... (wow I thought ) ... But then as I began to think he said again .... "Only then will you be respected, only then can you command the respect that you deserve... "

I can only imagine what you all may suggest this means or what it may represent..... I know .... and I will say for me ..... With everything that is going on .... especially in today's world, we must look in the mirror and respect all of what we see .... and clean up our homes (within ourselves and our communities) before we demand that which we do not demand of each other ( please give the same respect that we demand from others outside our communities) .... only then, will we be able defeat that which is stacked up against us to find the truth........... the real truth ...... that which no one wishes you to have ...... then you will see the end of the book .... that book called life....

Young William

Leader and Philosopher