"number two is to learn how to read, my boy. for there is only one thing that people can t take away from you, and that is your wisdom. " at that moment, he reached forward, grabbed my right hand in his and put them upon the books he'd pulled from the shelves. they were the writings of plato and aristotle-immortal classics from ancient times.

　　the bum then led me back past the smiling old woman near the entrance, down the steps and back on the streets near where we first met. his parting request was for me to never forget what he taught me.