When Gandhi was studying law at the University College of London, a white professor, whose last name was Peters, disliked him intensely and always displayed prejudice and animosity towards him.
Also because Gandhi never lowered his head when addressing him, as he expected…there were always “arguments” and confrontations.
One day, Mr Peters was having lunch at the dining room of the University, and Gandhi came along with his tray and sat next to the professor. The professor said, “Mr. Gandhi, you do not understand. A pig and a bird do not sit together to eat.”
Gandhi looked at him as a parent would a rude child and calmly replied, “You do not worry professor. I’ll fly away,” and he went and sat at another table.
Mr. Peters, reddened with rage, decided to take revenge on the next test paper, but Gandhi responded brilliantly to all questions. Mr. Peters, unhappy and frustrated, asked him the following question. “Mr. Gandhi, if you were walking down the street and found a package, and within was a bag of wisdom and another a bag with a lot of money, which one would you take?”
Without hesitating, Gandhi responded, “The one with the money, of course.”
Mr. Peters, smiling sarcastically said, “I, in your place, would have taken the wisdom, don’t you think?”
Gandhi shrugged indifferently and responded, “Each one takes what he doesn’t have.”
Mr. Peters, by this time was fit to be tied. So great was his anger that he wrote on Gandhi’s exam sheet the word, “Idiot” and gave it to Gandhi. Gandhi took the exam sheet and sat down at his desk trying very hard to remain calm while he contemplated his next move.
A few minutes later, Gandhi got up, went to the professor and said to him in a dignified but sarcastically polite tone, “Mr Peters, you signed my sheet, but you did not give me the grade.”
Ok, a cute little story. Now…..what do you get out of it and what does it teach you?
I am curious to hear what you have to say and how this story can benefit you.
Thanks……………and have you set your goals for this coming year?
If not………….it is time to.
Have a Happy and safe New Year.
I am proud to be a part of you, You amaze me.
sysr
This post made me laugh, but think as well.
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent…
Thanks for this post!
Wow, there are several messages here, but one of the more significant points I took from this story is perseverance through adversity. We all know what a great man Gandi became and I believe attitude to be one of his greatest attributes. Attitude and perseverance in life and in our careers will determine our success. Thank you for the inspiration.
I think one of the most important things to learn from the story is that we can’t always control the situation but we can control how we react to it, and that makes all the difference.
I agree with Rob, Attitude is a game changer.
In the work place, as well as in life, we experience all kinds of adversity. Obviously, what Ghandi experienced was an extreme case of bigotry. Typically, in the work place, it occurs when a person placed in authority over others feels he or his status is being threatened by a subordinate. As with Ghandi and the professor, the easiest thing for the person placed in authority to do is to put down the subordinate by using that authority to hold back the subordinate. Typically, this takes the form of the authority figure exposing the weaknesses of the subordinate or sabotaging their efforts to keep them from succeeding.
The subordinate at this point is faced with some difficult choices; he can simply give up, or he can continue to work hard and try his best to succeed. In the end, both the authority figure and the subordinate knows whom and what they really are. As with Ghandi and the professor, the professor becomes a villain in a story and Ghandi goes on to greatness.
Great story. My take away from this story is similar to the rest. You can decide how you deal with difficult people and the attitude they leave with you.
i really liked this story , what i got out of it?? a smile.. thank you.
think before you speak
think before you act