At our annual family reunion, my brother-in-law Tom, a successful but arrogant lawyer, belittled my husband David, a dedicated teacher. Tom made a grand entrance in his flashy Ferrari, boasting about its price and luxury features. During dinner, David shared an inspiring story about one of his students, but Tom interrupted, mocking David’s career and insinuating that he should have aimed higher. Despite the insult, David remained calm.
A few days later, karma struck. Tom’s Ferrari broke down, leaving him stranded with a dead phone and no wallet. Forced to take a bus, he found himself on a crowded ride, awkwardly sitting next to David. The uncomfortable journey only worsened as the bus broke down, Tom’s boss called to reprimand him for missing an important meeting, and he eventually lost a major client. By the end of the day, Tom had been demoted.
At the next reunion, Tom arrived quietly and apologized to David for belittling his work. He admitted that success wasn’t about wealth, but the positive impact one makes—something David achieved daily as a teacher. David accepted the apology, and the atmosphere was noticeably more respectful. Tom had learned a valuable lesson in humility.
