COMEDIAN David Brenner grew up poor in Philadelphia. He didn't expect a graduation gift when he graduated from high school. Yet, he received one he never forgot.
"Some of my friends got some neat graduation gifts," he replied. "The few rich kids got brand new cars or new wardrobes while others received at least a few new suits. Quite a few of the kids got college tuition.
"Just having my family there was enough for me. But after graduation my dad said, 'I have your graduation gift.' He reached into his pocket, took something out that was in his fist. He extended his hand toward me. I put my hand palm up and he let my present drop into my hand - a nickel!
"Buy a newspaper with that,' he said. 'Read every word of it, page one to the last page. Then turn to the classified section and get yourself a job. Get into the world. It's all yours now."
"I laughed. 'A nickel! Thanks a lot. 'I said as I forced a smile."
"I always thought that was a great joke my father played on me until a couple of years later as I sat in a foxhole in the Army thinking about my family and my life. It was then that I realized that my friends had gotten only cars, only clothes or only tuition from their parents. My father had given me the whole world. What greater gift? I think the day I realized this was the dayI became a man."
1. Who is David Brenner?
2. Did David Brenner expect a graduation gift when he graduated from high school?
