This quick story I received by email from a very dear person, reminded me of the base spirit needed to succeeding in social media. It relates to a previous post titled: “Is Twitter Stuck Into Mental Masturbation Mode?“

— Photo Credit: mackelundberg —

His name was Fleming, he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to earn a living for his family, he heard a cry for help from a nearby swamp. He dropped his tools, ran up and found a young boy down waist deep in this swamp, frightened, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and cruel death.

The next day, a stylish team appeared at the farm. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had helped:

— I want to repay you, said the nobleman. You saved my son’s life!

— I can not accept payment for what I did, the Scottish farmer replied.

At the same moment, the farmer’s son came to the door of the hut.

— Is it your son? Asked the nobleman.

— Yes, the farmer replied proudly.

— So, I make you a deal. Let me give your son the same education as my son. If the son is like the father, I am sure he will be a man whom both will be proud.

And the farmer agreed.

Farmer Fleming’s son attended the lectures of the best schools and the grand finale, he graduated from the School of Medicine, St. Mary’s Hospital in London. Bearing a big draw, he continued to be known worldwide. The famous Dr. Alexander Fleming had discovered penicillin in effect.

Years later, the son of the nobleman who had been rescued from the swamp was suffering from pneumonia. Who saved his life this time? … Penicillin. Who was the nobleman? Sir Randolph Churchill and his son, Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said:

- Everything that goes comes back …
- Work as if you did not need money.
- Love like you’ve never been hurt.
- Dance like nobody’s watching.
- Sing like nobody’s listening to you.
- Live as if Heaven was on Earth.

One might add here:

- Tweet as if no one will ever reply.
- Share information as you promote your own

What analogies others might you add?