Larry Hutchins, a 90-year-old man who created the largest grocery shop chain in Texas, lived a life that many could only dream of. He made a huge fortune and earned respect, but his success turned into loneliness. Larry was never married, had no children, and from a young age was an orphan with no family. As he grew older, he began to wonder to whom he would leave his legacy.
He did not want to leave his fortune to charity, believing that his wealth should go to someone who knew the value of labour. Larry also did not trust casual acquaintances and so-called friends, realising that business relationships are often full of deceit. In search of a solution, he turned to his lawyer William Carter. He promised to think about the matter and discuss it by the end of the week.
But Larry couldn’t wait. That same night, sitting in his office, he wrote in his notebook, crossing out names one by one until the page was blank. Suddenly it dawned on him that perhaps the answer was not in his social circle, but among those who worked for him.
The next morning Larry put on the oldest clothes he could find, glued on an unkempt beard, picked up a shabby cane, and went to the main shop of his chain to see how he would be treated as a man who had nothing.
From the moment he walked in, Larry felt the cold attitude on him. The cashier, Lydia, looked at him with contempt.
- ‘Go away, grandfather,’ she said gruffly. – This is no place for beggars.
- I just want food,’ Larry whispered in a trembling voice.
- You belong on the street, not in a shop! – she cut him off.
Disappointed, Larry went to the market, hoping to find some compassion. But instead he was met with contempt. A woman with a wrinkled nose shouted:
- Who let that dirty old man in?
Another customer added: - Give him money to leave!
The staff were keeping up, too. Saleswoman Larissa approached him and ordered him to leave, apologising to the customers.
- You’re scaring everyone,’ she hissed.
When Larry was almost desperate, a voice came from the back of the shop:
- Everybody calm down and leave this man alone!
Larry turned round and saw the young administrator Leonid. Leonid was known for his work ethic and modesty. He himself had dropped out of university due to financial difficulties, but he never complained. Approaching Larry, Leonid turned to Lydia sternly:
- Lydia, this is unacceptable. If Mr Hutchins finds out how you treat the needy, he will be furious.
Leonid took Larry to a quiet place, he himself picked up a basket of groceries, paid for them and handed them to him.
- ‘Here you go,’ he said with a smile. – I’m sorry for everything that happened here.
- Why do you help someone like me when everyone else has turned away? – Larry asked, touched to the core.
Leonid’s answer was simple and touching:
- When I started working here, I had nothing myself. Mr Hutchins gave me a chance and even paid for a flat so I could get back on my feet. His kindness changed my life, and I want to give that goodness back to others.
At that moment, Larry realised he had found his heir. Thanking Leonid, he left the shop with a light heart.
Seven years later, Larry passed away. Shortly thereafter, Leonid received an unexpected call from William Carter. The lawyer said that Larry had left him his entire fortune and enclosed a letter explaining his choices. In the letter, Larry described his transformation and his ordeal at the shop. He admired Leonid’s compassion and honesty, qualities he considered essential to running his empire.
Touched to the core, Leonid gratefully accepted the inheritance. He took on running the business with a sense of duty and purpose. Leonid implemented employee support programmes and directed the company’s resources to help those in need.
Larry’s legacy of hard work and kindness continued to live on through Leonid, proving that the true value of wealth is to use it for the benefit of others.
