Someone asked the richest man in the world, Bill Gates,
“Is there anyone richer than you in the world?”
Bill Gates replied, “Yes, there is a person who is richer than me.”
He then narrated a story.
“It was when I wasn’t rich or famous.
I was at the New York airport when I saw a newspaper vendor. I wanted to buy one newspaper but found that I don’t have enough change. So I left the idea of buying and returning it to the vendor. I told him not to have the chance.
The vendor said, “I am giving you this for free.” On his insistence, I took the newspaper. Coincidentally, after 2–3 months, I landed at the same airport and again I was short of change for a newspaper. The vendor offered me the newspaper again. I refused and said that I can’t take it for I don’t have a chance today too. He said, “You can take it, I am sharing this from my profit, I won’t be at loss.” I took the newspaper. After 19 years I become famous and known by people. Suddenly I remember that vendor. I began searching for him and after about 1 1/2 months of searching, I found him. I asked him, “Do you know me?”
He said, “Yes, you are Bill Gates,”
I asked him again, “Do you remember once you gave me a newspaper for free?”
The vendor said, “Yes, I remember. I gave you twice.”
I said, “I want to repay the help you had offered me that time.
Whatever you want in your life, tell me, I shall fulfill it.”
The vendor said, “Sir, don’t you think by doing so you won’t be able to match my help?”
I asked, “Why?”
He said, “I had helped you when I was a poor newspaper vendor and you are trying to help me now When you have become the richest man in the world. How can you help match mine?”
That day I realized that the newspaper vendor is richer than me because he didn’t wait to become rich to help someone.
People need to understand that the truly rich are those who possess a rich heart rather than lots of money.