“Know Your Worth”
After the graduation ceremony, as the sun dipped low behind the trees and the celebration quieted, a father pulled his son aside. Pride shimmered in his eyes.
“You graduated with honors,” he said, placing a hand on his son’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you — truly. And I have something for you.”
He led his son into the garage and uncovered an old car beneath a dusty tarp. Its once-bright paint had dulled with time, and the chrome was no longer as gleaming. The son blinked in surprise.
“This,” the father said, smiling, “is a Volkswagen Beetle I bought many, many years ago. It’s over 50 years old now. But before I give it to you, I want you to do something.”
He looked his son in the eyes.
“Take it to the dealership downtown. Ask them how much they would offer you for it.”
Though puzzled, the son nodded and did as asked. A few hours later, he returned.
“They only offered me $10,000,” he said. “They said it’s old and worn. Not worth much.”
The father nodded slowly, unfazed.
“Alright,” he said. “Now, take it to a pawn shop. See what they’ll offer.”
Again, the son obeyed. This time, he came back looking almost embarrassed.
“They offered me $1,000,” he said. “They said it’s too old. Outdated. Pretty much junk.”
The father smiled knowingly.
“Now,” he said, “there’s one more place I want you to try. Take the car to the classic car club downtown — the one that meets near the lake on Saturdays. Show it to them. See what they say.”
Though skeptical, the son drove the car out to the gathering spot. And when he returned that evening, his eyes were wide with disbelief.
“Dad,” he said breathlessly, “some people at the club offered me $100,000! They were so excited. They said it’s a rare model in great condition. One man even called it a collector’s gem!”
The father nodded gently, the lesson already beginning to settle in.
“My son,” he said softly, “I wanted you to see this for yourself. There’s nothing wrong with the car. It hasn’t changed. But its value depends on who’s looking at it.”
He stepped closer.
“Just like you. If you’re ever in a place where people don’t see your worth — if they dismiss you, undervalue you, or treat you like you’re replaceable — don’t stay there. Don’t let their small vision shape your self-worth. That just means you’re in the wrong place.”
He placed both hands on his son’s shoulders now, his voice steady.
“Go where you are valued. Where you are appreciated. Where people recognize your worth — not because you have to shout it, but because they can see it. You are rare, and the right people will know that.”
The son said nothing at first, but the message sank deep into his heart — a truth far more valuable than any car.
