He had four siblings and his father's earnings were not
sufficient to provide for the whole family.
He grew up in a poor neighborhood. Exposed to mindless
violence and heavy discrimination in the slums, he saw for himself only a
hopeless future.
His father saw in Michael, a lost soul and decided to do
something.
He gave Michael, who was 13 years old, a piece of used
clothing and asked: "What do you think the value of this outfit would
be?"
Jordan replied, “Maybe one dollar."
His father asked, "Can you sell it for two dollars? If
you can sell it, it would mean that you are a big help to your family."
Jordan nodded his head, "I'll try, but no guarantee
that I'll be successful."
Jordan carefully washed the cloth clean. Because they didn't
have an iron, to smoothen the cloth, he leveled it with a clothes brush on a
flat board, then kept it in the sun to dry. The next day, he brought the
clothes to a crowded underground station. After offering it for more than six
hours. Jordan finally managed to sell it for $2. He took the two-dollar bill
and ran home.
After that, every day he looked for used clothing, washed and
ironed it, and sold it in the crowd.
More than ten days later, his father again gave him a piece
of used clothing, "Can you think of a way you can sell this for 20
bucks?"
Aghast, Jordan said, "How is it possible? This outfit
can only fetch two dollars at the most."
His father replied, "Why don't you try it first? There
might be away."
After breaking his head for a few hours, finally, Jordan got
an idea.
He asked for cousin's help to paint a picture of Donald Duck
and Mickey Mouse on the garment. Then he tried to sell it in the school where
the children of the rich study.
Soon a housekeeper, who was there to pick his master, bought
that outfit for his master. The master was a little boy of only 10 years. He
loved it so much and he gave a five-dollar tip. 25 dollars was a huge amount
for Jordan, the equivalent of a month's salary of his father.
When he got home, his father gave him yet another piece of
used clothing, "Are you able to resell it at a price of 200 dollars?"
Jordan's eyes lit up.
This time, Jordan accepted the clothes without the slightest
doubt. Two months later a popular movie actress from the movie "Charlie's
Angels", Farah Fawcett came to New York for her Movie promos. After the
press conference, Jordan made his way through the security forces to reach the
side of Farah Fawcett and requested her autograph on the piece of clothing.
When Fawcett saw this innocent child asking for her autograph, she gladly
signed it.
Jordan was shouting very excitedly, "This is a jersey
signed by Miss Farah Fawcett, the selling price is 200 dollars!" He
auctioned off the clothes, to a businessman for a price of 1,200 dollars!
Upon returning home, his father broke into TEARS and said,
"I am amazed that you did it, my child! You're really great! "
That night, Jordan slept alongside his father. His father
said, "Son, in your experience selling these three pieces of clothing,
what did you learn about success?"
Jordan replied, "Where there's a will, there's a
way."
His father nodded his head, then shook his head, "What
you say is not entirely wrong! But that was not my intention. I just wanted to
show you that a piece of used clothing which is worth only a dollar can also be
increased in value, Then how about us - living & thinking humans? We may be
darker and poorer, but what if we CAN increase our VALUE."
This thought enlightened young Jordan. Even a piece of used
clothing could be made dignified, then why not me? There is absolutely no
reason to underestimate myself.
From then on, Michael Jordan felt that his future would be
beautiful and full of hope.
He went on to become the greatest basketball player of all
times.
How can I increase my own value? I am finding it a very
interesting thought. I am sure, you too, will.
OTHER POST:
FIREMAN
SHAKE IT OFF
THE STORY OF LILITH
DRAW YOUR OWN LINE
OTHER POST:
FIREMAN
SHAKE IT OFF
THE STORY OF LILITH
DRAW YOUR OWN LINE
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