There once lived an old man in city near a city park. He had worked hard all his life and now he was content to sit on the park bench and read his newspaper of the events of the previous day. His days were now pleasant and leisurely. Most of all, he liked to come to this park bench and watch his community and to sit and read his paper, watch life go by, dozing from time to time, but also contemplating about the city, the businesses, the people and the families in the city.

One sunny summer’s day, as he sat there reading his paper, he heard footsteps approaching along the path which passed by his bench. It was a young man with a heavy pack on his back. He walked up to the old man and said, “Do you mind if I sit down and rest awhile?” “No, of course not, make yourself comfortable,” replied the old man. It was a hot day and the young man was clearly tired because it took him a while to catch his breath. After a few minutes, he turned to the old man and asked him, pointing down to the city below, “Is that your city down there?” “Yes,” said the old man. “Why do you ask?” “I was wondering what the people are like there,” the young man said.

The old man thought for a while, set his paper down, and then answered with another question. “What are the people like in the place you’ve just come from?” “Oh, that’s just it,” said the young man, pulling a face. “I don’t even like to think about them. They were all liars, cheats, thieves, and mean people. That’s why I’ve left. I’m looking for a new place to settle down and your city looks nice.” The old man looked at him sadly and said, “I’m afraid you’ll find that the people in my city are liars, cheats, thieves, and mean, too. This is no place for you.” With a sigh, the young man picked up his pack and went on his way.

A few days later, when the old man was sitting on the same bench, dozing in the summer sun and reading his paper, when another young man approached along the path, carrying his heavy pack on his back. He walked up to the old man and said, “Do you mind if I sit down and rest awhile?” “No, of course not, make yourself comfortable,” replied the old man. It was another hot day and the young man was clearly tired and he closed his eyes for a while before taking a good look around him. After a few minutes, he turned to the old man and asked him, pointing down to the city below, “Is that your city down there?” “Yes,” said the old man. “Why do you ask?” “What are the people like there?” the young man asked.

Once again, the old man thought for a while, put his paper down, and then answered with the same question. “What are the people like in the place you’ve just come from?” A smile spread over the young man’s face. “Oh, they are wonderful,” he replied. “You couldn’t wish to meet friendlier, happier more hospitable people. I’ve only been away a few weeks and I’m missing them already. But I wanted to see the world and to find out more about life. But I’m looking for a place to stay for a while and your city looks so nice.”

The old man returned his smile and said, “Of course, you’ll be welcome to stay. We could use some wonderful people in our city. You’ll find the people in my city just as friendly, happy and hospitable as those you have left behind.” And the two of them made their way together down the path to the old man’s community.

Your mindset is very important. If you focus on the bad, that is what you will find. But if you focus on the good you will find it.  

Listen before you speak. When answering a question make sure you know what someone is really asking you.

  Have an open mind, and be willing to find the best in people and in situations.  