We were in the same class as a boy named Paul. He was like everyone else, did not stand out, had average grades, but was distinguished by his aptitude for mathematics and loved that subject. From time to time Paul participated in neighborhood Olympiads and even won prizes. Paul’s mother worked as a cleaner at our school, and after school her son was always trying to help her: carrying water in buckets, washing the walls and floors. At first they even laughed at him, but it had no effect on the boy. Then everyone got tired of teasing him and in high school started treating him normally, even assisting his mother and bringing buckets to the place of cleaning.
Rosa taught biology at our school, a lot of students didn’t like her, gave her a nickname. She was a calculating lady and politely dealt with those classmates who had rich parents. Those who had average wealth, she did not consider them at all. She didn’t like Paul, either. If a boy failed to do his homework or misbehaved in class, the teacher would start admonishing him, saying “you won’t achieve anything in life”, “society does not need mediocrity”, “such people harm the environment”. The boy always got a lot of trouble compared to other “special” students, with whom Rosa was good-natured and friendly.
Once, during another pick on Paul, the biologist hurt him badly, even I felt uncomfortable. She said: “Keep in mind, the technician’s son will never be a principal, just as the principal’s son won’t be a janitor!”
Twenty years later there was a meeting of our class to which Paul came. Some of the teachers came, and Rosa was invited, even though she wasn’t our class teacher. Of course she had gotten pretty old, but her nature hadn’t changed. Right away she started asking everyone about their personal achievements in life. Turning to Paul, Rose ironically said: “Paul, what have you achieved, I suppose, that you do not wash the floors?” To which Paul nonchalantly replied, “I build houses!”
– Ah-ah, so you’re a builder? – Rose said surprisingly.
– I have my own construction company, I am the manager of it,” Paul answered modestly.
The teacher immediately changed her face, she could not find her place. The final surprise for her was the following. When she had to leave the cafe (though she would have stayed if she hadn’t been in a bad mood), Paul asked his driver to give her a ride home in a luxury Mercedes. The woman sat in the car frowning and gloomy, apparently she was stunned by what she had heard.
Such a life story was revealing. It is worth making conclusions!
