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I recently re-read this story. I don't know with certainty if it is true, but I thought the story was worth sharing.
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His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.
There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."
"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel. “Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly.
"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of." And he did.
Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools, and in time,he graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.
Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time? Penicillin.
The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.
Someone once said: What goes around comes around. It is a great lesson we can all benefit from the reminder.
Pass this on, and brighten someones day. Nothing will happen if you do not pass it along. The only thing that will happen, if you DO pass it on, is that someone might smile because of you.
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11 comments:
Yes, a nice story but, apparently, it is just that - a story.
Please see the following:
http://www.snopes.com/glurge/fleming.asp
Thanks for setting us straight -- but as you say "a nice story".
Maybe we should change the names to protect the innocent and call it a parable. LOL!
Thanks for taking the time to comment ;)
Is this meant to be a lesson for Evelyn Buck? I guess you have to be part of the in-group of this blog to understand who means what.
It doesn't represent what people I know talk about in Aurora.
You set a tone when you refuse to put names to people who write... hence the tyranny of anonymity. You set the tone and determine the issues- yet hide. Who would trust your motives?
"You set a tone when you refuse to put names to people who write..." Huh? The post you're commenting on was posted by the Aurora Citizen. What more do you need to know? Would your decision to comment, or your opinion on the issue at hand be different if you knew the poster was Joe Smith or Jane Doe? I hope not!
In my mind, it does make a difference. I choose NOT to interact with any group that has a SET agenda. Such a group chooses to polarize persons, instead of exploring common ground.
From my observations of this site it is not conducive to looking for common ground.
Many Canadians loved the ideas of Obama ( Evelyn Buck excluded because she chose to dismiss Obama in her blog, a blog identified as political, and consisting predominately of attacks on the current council, her colleagues from her lofty seat in life) because he wants to find common ground.
I continue to be amazed by the number of anonymous comments complaining about anonymous comments. Do you really not see the contradiction?
I view this blog as a forum to express opinions. The bulk seem to be concerned about the activities and behaviours of the current Council. That tells me that people are concerned. I know I am, and I have no issue saying it.
May I suggest to all those who are expressing concern about the tone and direction. Step up and add something besides complaining about the fact that it is negative.
Freedom of speech is something that should be cherished. We are currently preparing to honour those who fought and the many who died so we could enjoy this priviledge. I hope people continue to post comments anonymously or otherwise -- including you!
If you have something to say besides complain -- say it!
If you think people who comment are uninformed -- inform them!
If you have facts that contradict the facts being stated -- state the new facts!
At least these people are stating their position about an issue. The best you have contributed so far is to complain anonymously about anonymous posts. Makes for a pretty short and shallow contribution.
Best I can figure is that you are supporters of the current Mayor and Council, but can't actually defend any of their decisions. Instead you chose to attack the people who have concerns.
Not exactly the high standards you claim others should have.
You clearly follow the blog, so why not start contributing. Show the kind of leadership you claim to want to see. Demonstrate by example the positive way that you feel this blog should operate. Why don't you submit an anonymous guest post taking a different position? Tell your friends to write in and comment.
I genuinely look forward to your future participation.
Thanks Bill Hogg for giving me important information.
You run a blog where everyone is anonymous.
The beauty is you control everything.
In fact a small group of maybe six people could be the only ones writing.
That's why it's all meaningless.
I am a supporter of no one in this town because of your group that seems to feel that either you are for or against the mayor. Are you getting ready for the next election?
You want to force-feed your take on the political scene, hence blocking any real discourse.
I posted a comment that suggested that we look at the down side of anonymous comments.
A few people could post as many; people could be electioneering.
I don't see that my comments could be considered disrespectful or rude BUT the fact that my comments were not posted suggests that this site has an agenda and those that have a different point of view are excluded.
This information was helpful in proving my point to others who before this, did not accept my position.
My comment was in response to Bill Hogg who made it clear that one needs to get friends to write in.
As with my last contribution I don't expect to be published.
Instead I provide proof to others that my point of view was rejected. They have the benefit of the original copy and are free to decide for themselves.
That is powerful!!
The only comments that are not published are those that are disrespectful or rude. You should also be aware that comments cannot be altered by the moderator -- only accepted or rejected as a whole.
We agree with Mr Hogg's comments, you are entitled to your opinion and we encourage you to share it with the broader group. Readers are then welcome to accept or reject your comments on their own.
However, anonymous comments will continue to be posted -- otherwise how would we ever hear your opinion!
We agree -- this is powerful stuff. People who care about their town engaging in a dialogue.
The fact that there are so few named contributors to this blog speaks volumes.
How are the newspapers able to reach more diversity of opinion?
I'm so sick of hearing the "but it's anonymous!" complaint on here. You've said it once, and you're always anonymously saying it, by the way, so you're really not making your point. But besides that, it's been said! Enough already, quit repeating it. Honestly now, how about looking at some of the issues in the posts? If the only comments to the contrary are inconsequential ones like this, or pointing out that the specific phrasing shows a bias (the 'grind grind' comment on another post)that speaks volumes too! Don't you realize that? With no actual rebuttal, everyone is not going to see the other side of any issue. If you have a good argument, post it for goodness sake! I see almost no arguing against the points made here, no other side to the argument. I have taken that to mean that the points made in this blog must be completely spot-on. No one will think there is any other way to understand the issues at hand. Who cares if it's aliens from outer space making the posts? Or if they are written by a divine being? It's about the point being made. This isn't a newspaper with a few selective editorials posted. This is a chance, in a public forum, to dispute misconceptions. And if you take issue with those points, I suggest you start addressing the issues with facts to the contrary. There must be another side, and as a citizen of the town I would be happy to hear it. Until then, all I can see is that the blogger is, indeed, spot-on.
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