@deki 7 November 2020

Never give up

Winston Churchill struggled for three years to get through the eighth grade of elementary school because learning his native English was very difficult for him. It sounds a bit ironic that the famous Oxford University invited him a few decades later to give a speech at the awarding of diplomas to future diplomats. Churchill came to this occasion with the usual props: a cigarette, a stick and a top hat. As Churchill approached the podium, the entire hall stood up and greeted him thunderously. With his recognizable body language, he calmed those present and stood confidently in front of them. Taking a cigarette out of his mouth and putting his hat on the podium, Churchill stared at the audience full of anticipation. An authoritative voice broke out of him: "Never give up!" It was a few seconds before he climbed on his fingertips and repeated, "Never give up!" His words echoed in the ears of those present. There was a grave silence in the hall as, taking his hat and cigar, he supported himself with a stick and left the podium. His speech was over.