"HOW TO TELL IF YOU HAVE A TRUE FRIEND BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE..."
Friends. They are common. We all seem to have so many. But, if you asked me, most people use the term way too loosely.
That is why I love this little story so much. I heard it not too long ago and the person that told me said it was true. But whether or not this is a true story doesn't matter. What matters is the invaluable life lessons.
Here is the story: Bruce was a man from humble beginnings. He was born and raised in a small, Midwestern town. His father was a plumber and that is how Bruce learned his trade.
Over the years, Bruce built up a pretty good business. Nothing steller, but it was enough to pay the bills and support his wife and two kids. Most of the time it was just enough!
But there was one thing about Bruce. He had a lot of friends! If he wanted, he could have had his own TV show... Everyone Loves Bruce!
Why so many friends? Because Bruce was a great guy. He was always thee for everyone. If you needed something, all you had to do was call Bruce, and he would give you the shirt off his back, and he never asked for ANYTHING in return.
One day, Bruce was coming home form work and he stopped at the store to pick up some groceries. And on his way out, he decided to buy a lottery ticket. He played his favorite numbers, his anniversary, wife and kid's birthdays etc. He never played the lottery, but this was a big one. $12 million. So as they say, all Bruce needed was a dollar and a DREAM!
That much Bruce had. But since money was a little tight, Bruce didn't tell his wife he bought the ticket when he got home. He just ate dinner and spent time with his wife and kids.
When his wife went to bed, he stayed up to watch the news and check on his dream! With everyone in his family fast asleep, Bruce discovered, all by himself, THAT HE HIT THE LOTTERY!!!
In the blink of an eye, he was $12 million richer. And his first reaction was to wake up his wife and kids. But, as he took his first few steps down the hall, he had a change of heart.
He stopped dead in his tracks and pondered the situation for a moment. And then he did something that was completely out of his character for anyone that knew Bruce.
Here is what he did: Bruce went back in his living room and pulled out his little black book that contained the numbers of all his friends. He sat down and made a list. That list ended up being 20 of his best friends. All whom Bruce had helped out in the past. Most he had lent money too, even when he barely had enough for his own family! Then Bruce picked up the phone and called each and every one of them. But not to tell them he had just won the lottery but instead, Bruce told them all he had just lost his job and he was in trouble. He needed $1,000 in the next few days or he was going to lose his house and that his family would be out on the street!
He told them he was embarrassed and ashamed, but that he didn't know where else to turn. And he asked them all for the money! After calling his 20 best friends that Bruce had helped in the past, 19 of them said NO!
Only one of the friends showed up on his doorstep 10 minutes later with a $2,000 check. The next day, all 20 of Bruce's friends saw him on the news holding a $12 million dollar check! Bruce only got one phone call that day from all his so-called friends. It was from the one who showed up to help him the night before. Rumor has it; Bruce cut him a huge check so he would be set for life! You got to wonder how many calls Bruce would have gotten if he hadn't found out who his true friend was before appearing on the news?
If you ask me, Bruce is Brilliant!