When Monty was 16 years old, he was asked to write an essay about what he wanted when he grew up. Monty suffered for a long time and spent many hours describing his dream. He wanted to be a rancher someday. He wrote seven pages describing the 200-acre ranch in great detail, and drew a layout of all the buildings, stables, and roads. He even drew a very detailed plan of the 4,000 square foot home he would build. The next day Monty gave his essay to the teacher. Two days later, his teacher returned the essay with a bold red D and the note: “Stay after class.” After the lesson, the boy with a dream approached the teacher and asked why he received a bad mark for his essay. To which the teacher replied: “Because such a dream is impossible for a boy like you. You need a lot, a lot of money to buy a ranch like this. - How much money do you have? - None. You come from a very poor family. There is no way for you to achieve your dream. It is not feasible. I'll tell you what. Go home and write another essay in which you describe a different, more realistic dream, and I will give you a different grade.” The boy returned home and asked his father for advice. And this is what he heard: “Son, I’m afraid I’m not your help here. I think it should be your decision alone, and I have a feeling it will be a really important decision for you.” Monty pondered his father's words for a week. Finally, he returned the same essay to the teacher and said: “You can keep a bad mark, but I’ll keep my dream.” Time passed, Monty graduated from school long ago and became an adult. He told the story and turned to the group of people listening and said, “I told you this story because you are all sitting in my 4,000 square foot home in the middle of my 200 acre ranch. And that essay hangs in a frame above the fireplace.” Monty continued: “The most amazing part of this story is that two years ago, in the summer, the same teacher brought 30 schoolchildren here and they camped on my ranch for a week. Before leaving, the teacher told me: “Listen Monty, I can tell you about this now. When I was your teacher, I was something of a thief of dreams. I am very sorry now that I stole many childhood dreams back then. But I’m very glad that you found the courage to defend your dream.
” Don't let anyone steal your dream.
No matter what they tell you, follow your heart!
@JMS