The Choice That Changed Oliver’s Life
Oliver was in his last year of school. He was riding his bike swiftly through the damp streets of Manchester.
Today was the day of his biggest test. It would decide if he could get his degree in the end.
The sky got darker, and cars and buses honked. He had just fifteen minutes left before the campus gates closed.
He saw something as he sped along the main road.
There was a man in a business suit lying still on the sidewalk next to a bus stop. People who were on their way to work dashed past, glancing but not stopping.
Oliver thought for a second. The exam. His diploma. His whole life was on the line.
Then his conscience won out over reason.
He slammed on the brakes, got off his bike, and walked over to the man.
A life was spared, but the future was gone.
The visitor was quite pale and had trouble breathing. He checked Oliver’s pulse. It was there, but it wasn’t very powerful.
He yelled for help and called the police. Someone gave him a bottle of water, and someone else contacted the paramedics again.
Oliver applied what he learned in his safety class to help people who were hurt. The rain poured through his sleeves and made his hands shake, but he kept walking.
The man got up and opened his eyes slowly a few minutes later.
When the paramedics got there, Oliver’s phone rang. It was time. The test was already in progress.
He thought his heart was going to stop. It was not feasible to accomplish it today.
The paramedics put the man on a stretcher, and the stranger held Oliver’s hand and whispered to him.
“Thanks… You saved my life. This will always stick with me.
Oliver might have smiled a little, but he felt like he had lost everything.
He rode home slowly in the rain, which made him feel worse than he did.
He stayed up all night wondering about what had happened and how it would affect his future.
A Letter That Changed Everything
He got a letter in the mail three days later. The top of the letter said:
Wellington & Co. Holdings
Oliver made a face. He didn’t know what to name it. He opened the letter and read it:
“Dear Mr. Parker,
You helped me out last week. I’m Harold Wellington. The doctors told me I would have died if you hadn’t acted promptly.
I’m really sorry that you missed your test due of me.
I called your school, and they told me they would give you a special test next week.
I’d also like to thank you in person.
If that’s good with you, my office will send a car to get you on Monday morning.
“Harold Wellington”
Oliver read the letter twice because he didn’t believe it.
What is the purpose of the test? After all that sadness, hope has come back.
A Meeting of Fate and Luck
A silky black car came up outside his hostel that Monday.
They took Oliver to the Wellington & Co. headquarters, which is a gigantic glass building in the midst of London.
When he walked in, Harold Wellington gave him a warm greeting. He was completely better, but he was still very sad.
He shook Oliver’s hand really strongly.
“You saved my life,” Harold said. “Thanks, but that’s not all I’ll say.”
They talked for a long time about Oliver’s school, his dreams, and the things that were bothering him. Harold listened carefully and then smiled.
“Every year, my company chooses one intern who stands out. If you pass the test, I’ll give you the job. You should get every chance.
Oliver could barely speak. He was quite grateful.
The Good Things About Doing What Is Right
Oliver took his makeup test a week later.
He wasn’t terrified this time; he was calm and knew what he wanted to do. He did a good job.
Months later, he got a job as an intern at Wellington & Co.
In just three years, he rose up the ranks swiftly and earned respect for being knowledgeable and honest.
When people asked Oliver why his life had changed so significantly, he would just smile and say,
“I decided that day that life was more important than a test.”
“Hey, Harold,” he said once,
“Oliver, you didn’t lose your future that day.” You just ran into it sooner than you imagined you would.
