Every morning, the CEO of a major bank in Kampala went to the corner behind Communications House where a shoeshine man was always there. He used to sit on the chair, read the newspapers and the shoeshine man gave his shoes a shiny, great look.
One morning, the shoeshine man asks the CEO:
“What do you think of the stock market situation?”
The CEO arrogantly asks him:
“Why are you so interested in this subject?”
The shoeshine man replies:
“I have two million US Dollars deposited in your bank and I am thinking about investing part of the money in the stock market.”
The CEO of the bank asks:
“What is your name?”
He replies: “Kanyike Dickson”.
The CEO arrives at the bank and asks the Manager of the Major Accounts Department, Mr. Guma Edgar: “Do we have a customer named Kanyike Dickson?
The Customer Service Manager for Major Accounts Ms Nabuduwa Katty replies:
“We certainly do, Sir! He is an extremely esteemed customer! He has two million dollars in his account.”
The CEO leaves the bank, approaches the shoeshine guy, and says:
“Mr. Kanyike, I would like to invite you to be our guest of honour at our Board meeting next Monday and you tell us your life story. I’m sure we will have a lot to learn from you.”
At the Board meeting, the CEO introduces him to the board members:
“We all know Mr. Kanyike, who makes our shoes shine like no one else. But Mr. Kanyike is also our valued customer, with two million dollars in his account. I invited him to tell us the story of his life. I’m sure we can learn a lot from him. Please, Mr. Kanyike, tell us your life story.”
Then, Mr Kanyike began to narrate his story:
“I came to this city thirty years ago as a young boy from Kyotera with nothing. I left without a penny in my pocket. The first thing I did was to change my name to Kanyike, as the name I carried before wasn’t necessarily a good one for reasons I don’t want to delve into. I was hungry and exhausted when I reached Kampala. I started to wander in search of a job, but without success.
Suddenly, I found a Ugx50 shilling note on the pavement. I bought some apples. Ugx50 shillings then was a lot of money in 1990. I had two options: eat the apples and quench my hunger or start a business. I sold the apples for 150 shillings and bought more apples with the money. When I started accumulating a bit more, I managed to buy a set of used brushes and shoe polish and started cleaning shoes. I didn’t spend a dime on fun or clothes. I only bought cassava, beans, and posho to survive on.
I saved penny by penny and after a while, I bought a new set of brushes and shoe polish in different shades and colors and increased my clientele. I lived like a monk and saved penny after penny. After a while, I managed to buy a chair so that my customers could sit comfortably while I cleaned their shoes, which brought me more customers. I didn’t spend a dime on the pleasures of life. I once spent a lot of my savings on Fiona, but she disappointed me when I saw her with another man on Valentine’s day. So I had learned my lesson and kept saving every penny.
A few years ago, when the corner shoeshine colleague decided to retire and return to Butaleja because of old age, I had already saved enough money to buy his point, which was a better place than mine.
Finally, ten months ago, my brother, who was a drug dealer, kifeesi, robber, and a member of the notorious disbanded Boda Boda 2010 passed away, he left me two million dollars.
This is just a campaign to promote reading! Reading stimulates the mind and imagination.
Note: I received this article on my WhatsApp mobile as a forward. I do not write it. And I don’t know the original author/s. The article will teach you a lesson, and that is why I am sharing it. If you share, add this disclaimer.
