A Birthday Present from Mr. Napoleon Hill: A Lesson on Rediscovering Purpose

"How do you do?"

[🎧 The audio version is available at the bottom of the page.] ⬇

(Scene: City Street, somewhere on this planet, night. YOU, a Man in your 50s, wearing a faded security guard uniform, trudge down a quiet street. A small plastic bag dangles from your hand—your dinner for the night.)

(You stop at a bench, sit down, and sigh deeply. A FIGURE steps out of the shadows—a Man in his late 60s, wearing a suit and fedora.)

(You glance up, freezing as the Figure approaches with a kind smile.)

Figure: How do you do?

(You avoid eye contact, but the Figure doesn’t waver.)

You: Do I… know you?

Figure: (Smiling) Yes, you do.

(The Figure steps closer and extends a hand.)

Figure: Napoleon Hill.

(Your eyes widen in disbelief.)

You: No way. This… this has to be a joke.

Napoleon: I assure you, it’s not.

(You stare at him, the name echoing in your mind. You shake his hand.)

Napoleon: I’m so very glad to meet you.

You: I used to read all your books—Think and Grow Rich, The Master-Key to Riches, The Law of Success… I studied them like scripture.

Napoleon: You didn’t just read them—you lived them. You were one of my most faithful students.

(You look away, your face crumpling with shame.)

You: (Voice breaking) I was… but not anymore. Life happened.

(Napoleon sits beside you, his voice gentle but firm.)

Napoleon: Tell me.

(You hesitate, then the words pour out.)

You: I had it all figured out when I was young... too young, perhaps. I had a plan. A dream. Your teachings gave me hope. I worked hard, saved money, stayed positive… But then… Then my wife cheated on me and left. She took the kids and all my money. My parents passed away a year apart. I got laid off after twenty years with the company. Everything fell apart.

(You wipe at your eyes, embarrassed.)

You: I stopped believing. Stopped trying. What was the point? Something bad always pops up. I was… unlucky.

(Napoleon studies you, his expression thoughtful.)

Napoleon: Do you remember what I wrote about Adversity?

You: That every failure carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.

Napoleon: And yet, you let those seeds wither. You chose to see only the losses, not the opportunities they presented.

(You open your mouth to argue but stop.)

Napoleon: You loved my teachings because you believed in your potential. And it’s still there. Buried, but alive.

You: (Looking down) It’s too late for me. Today is my 54th birthday—I’m old, broke, alone…

Napoleon: Stop. That’s the voice of fear and self-pity, not of the man I once knew.

(He leans forward, his piercing gaze locking onto you.)

Napoleon: Success begins with Desire. Do you still have it?

You: I… I don’t know.

Napoleon: You do. It’s why you remember my words. It’s why you haven’t given up completely, despite everything.

(You look at him, the flicker of something long buried stirring in your eyes.)

Napoleon: Here’s what you’ll do. Write your definite purpose tonight. Tomorrow, take one step toward it. It doesn’t matter how small. Just one step.

You: But what if I fail?

Napoleon: Failure is part of the process. Every success story is built on it. But if you do nothing, you guarantee failure.

(Napoleon stands, adjusting his hat.)

Napoleon: Your life isn’t over, my friend. A prosperous future is waiting for you to reclaim it.

You: (Looking up) Will I see you again?

Napoleon: That depends on whether you become the man you’re meant to be.

(Napoleon tips his hat, turns toward the corner of the street, and begins to walk away.)

(You watch, your heart pounding.)

You: (Calling out) Mr. Hill!

(Napoleon stops, glancing over his shoulder.)

You: Thank you.

(Napoleon nods with a warm smile, then disappears into the shadows.)

(You sit for a moment, your mind racing. Then, you reach into your pocket, pull out a notebook, and begin to write.)

(Posted on 2.1.2025)

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(🎧 Audio Version) A Birthday Present from Mr. Napoleon Hill: A Lesson on Rediscovering Purpose