Remember John

John

A few years back In a Toastmaster International Speech contest my speech was based on this story, then a 5-7 minute speech.

This day Jan. 15, John was called to appear before the town council, in the Town of Nowhere.

That morning John was slightly unstable as he stood before the Council.  The Mayor said, John, you were invited here for this special award ( John was overwhelmed he had never received an award)

John we the town of Nowhere would like to thank you for the laughs, and free meals, and overnight stays, and memories. 

We present you with this beautiful plaque. John shook hands with the Council, then the Mayor; as John turned to leave the Mayor stood and as John turned, he said t with his finger raised in the air, this will be your last night in the town of Nowhere. 

If you haven't realized by now, John was the town drunk. Then he headed out to his favorite tavern for the party in his honor.

John drank beer after beer, no one had ever bought him a beer. Later after the goodbyes John, with his life in his knapsack, slung over his shoulder
headed out of town.

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As John reached the bridge, he stopped and kelt to read the sigh. ( you are leaving the Town of Nowhere) he turned to look back, reflecting on his life.

As he entered the bridge, he heard a woman screaming, "leave me alone I am going to jump" John knew exactly what it was like to want to jump!

He talked her down, as they stood arm in arm, he turned and threw his LAST beer off into the river.  As she looked into his eyes tears flowing, she said how can I ever repay you? He said just pay it forward!

It was now 20 years later, that cool Sat. Morning On Wall Street, John was reading the Wall Street Journal.  John had given up the past, he now was a stockbroker.

On page 20 a picture caught John's eye it was the woman from the bridge. 
The story read how she had created the World Famous 'Pay it Foward movement.  She " said she owed one man her life, his name was John. "

But friends, what she didn't know was she had saved John's life!

In my Toastmaster contest speech, as I turn to walk off, I stop and look back at the audience and say, yes " my name was John."

You decide was the story true or false?

York