Spring Break
Your Focus is Your Future
Gilbert, Dr. Rob
Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: Feature
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Once upon a time in an ancient land, there was a young boy from a very poor family.
Every Saturday morning, the boy would walk into town and go to the market. There he would see mouth-watering food, beautiful clothes and expensive jewelry. All he could do was look because he didn't have even one coin in his pocket - he couldn't afford anything.
One Saturday, as he was leaving the market, he spotted a large group of people standing in a circle. The little boy made his way to the front of the circle and then, for the first time in his life, he saw a magician. This magician made doves appear out of thin air and made beautiful silk scarves disappear into thin air.
Of course, the magician saved his best trick for last. The magician raised his right arm into the air and pointed his index finger toward the sky. Everyone could see that the magician's index finger began to glow with an orange-like color.
Then, very theatrically, the magician took a glass cup, touched it with his glowing finger, and it immediately became pure gold. The crowd gasped and applauded, and the magician graciously bowed and ended his performance.
Everyone left except for the little boy who stood there transfixed.
As the magician was packing away his equipment, he noticed the young boy and said, "Boy, do you like my magic?"
"Oh, yes, very much," the boy said.
"Do you want some gold?"
"Oh, yes, very much."
The magician touched a little pebble with his magic finger, and it instantly became pure gold. The magician said, "Boy, here's a gold pebble, put it in your pocket."
The boy very appreciatively took the pebble, put it in his pocket and said, "Thank you, but ... I want more."
The magician let out a loud laugh. He then bent over and touched a small twig with his magic finger, and it instantly became pure gold. "Boy, take this twig home. It's yours."
The boy very appreciatively took the twig and said, "Thank you, but ... I want more."
Now the magician roared with laughter. He touched a boulder with his magic finger, and it became pure gold. "Boy, roll that boulder home, and your family will be able to eat for years."
Every Saturday morning, the boy would walk into town and go to the market. There he would see mouth-watering food, beautiful clothes and expensive jewelry. All he could do was look because he didn't have even one coin in his pocket - he couldn't afford anything.
One Saturday, as he was leaving the market, he spotted a large group of people standing in a circle. The little boy made his way to the front of the circle and then, for the first time in his life, he saw a magician. This magician made doves appear out of thin air and made beautiful silk scarves disappear into thin air.
Of course, the magician saved his best trick for last. The magician raised his right arm into the air and pointed his index finger toward the sky. Everyone could see that the magician's index finger began to glow with an orange-like color.
Then, very theatrically, the magician took a glass cup, touched it with his glowing finger, and it immediately became pure gold. The crowd gasped and applauded, and the magician graciously bowed and ended his performance.
Everyone left except for the little boy who stood there transfixed.
As the magician was packing away his equipment, he noticed the young boy and said, "Boy, do you like my magic?"
"Oh, yes, very much," the boy said.
"Do you want some gold?"
"Oh, yes, very much."
The magician touched a little pebble with his magic finger, and it instantly became pure gold. The magician said, "Boy, here's a gold pebble, put it in your pocket."
The boy very appreciatively took the pebble, put it in his pocket and said, "Thank you, but ... I want more."
The magician let out a loud laugh. He then bent over and touched a small twig with his magic finger, and it instantly became pure gold. "Boy, take this twig home. It's yours."
The boy very appreciatively took the twig and said, "Thank you, but ... I want more."
Now the magician roared with laughter. He touched a boulder with his magic finger, and it became pure gold. "Boy, roll that boulder home, and your family will be able to eat for years."