Many years ago, a young drifter in Australia named Tom Ellis picked up an old, discarded newspaper and read an ad about a correspondence course in electricity. Tom had no money, and the correspondence school was in America. However, he wrote directly to Fenton Howard, the man in charge of the school, seeking enrollment. Howard permitted Ellis to enroll in the course. It was an act of kindness on the part of Fenton Howard. He was trying to help someone along life's way who was trying to help himself.

Through the correspondence course, Tom Ellis learned a trade and stayed with the course for several years before World War II broke out. At that point, he enlisted in the Australian navy. During that war, Fenton Howard was wounded while serving in the Pacific. The ship on which he served as a naval electrician had been disabled, and an electrician was needed desperately to do some repair work on the ship. Otherwise, Fenton Howard's chances for survival would be ever so slim. An SOS was sent out, asking for help for the damaged ship. An Australian ship that was nearby came to the rescue. The electrician from the Australian ship came on board and repaired the damaged generator, making it possible for the ship carrying Fenton Howard to sail back to America.

The act of repairing the generator saved Fenton Howard's life. As you probably have surmised already, the electrician's name was Tom Ellis. That little act of kindness of investing in a fellow human being many years earlier had saved Fenton Howard's life. As is often the case, a good deed done today brings some surprising rewards tomorrow. Action: Adopt Fenton Howard's helpful and generous attitude, and I'll see you at the top!

courtesy  of arcamax.com