The Cleaning Lady Story

Here’s a story about WHY everyone is significant!  

This was the last question on a quiz given by a Civics teacher to senior high school students: 

 “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”

Surely, this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

“Absolutely,” said the professor.

 “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello.”

I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.