The Magic Formula

A college professor had his Sociology class students to go into the Baltimore slums to get the case histories of 200 young boys. They were asked to write an evaluation of each boy’s future. In every case the students wrote, “He hasn’t got a chance.”

Twenty-five years later another sociology professor came across the earlier study. He had his students follow up on the project to see what had happened to these boys. With the exception of 20 boys who had moved away or died, the students learned that 176 of here remaining 180 had achieved more than ordinary success as lawyers, doctors and businessmen.

The professor was astounded and decided to pursue the matter further. Fortunately, all men were in the area, and he was able to speak to each one. “How do you account for your success?” In every case the reply came, “There was a teacher…”

The teacher was still alive, so he sought her out and asked the old but still alert lady what magic formula she had used to pull these boys out of the slums and into successful achievement.

The Teacher’s eyes sparked and her lips broke into a gentle smile. “It’s really very simple,” she said. “I just loved those boys.”