Michael was an orphan who was raised in a foster home in Kentucky. His foster parents were over critical, & so this young man was insecure in his adolescent years. His only true companion was his iPod, which let him access his heavy metal music..... "Heavy metal is my Adamantium, it heals my body & soul...It runs through my veins....Each part of my life can be summed up with heavy metal lyrics..", wrote Michael in his journal. Michael dropped out of school after 9th grade, & spent his time with a group of delinquents. For a petty theft, he & his comrades, were sent to a juvenile reform home. It goes without saying, that his stay at this facility was no joyride. Somewhere deep inside, his soul was hurting, & the hands of destiny were beckoning Michael on. He spent his time, in the library, & developed a reading habit. His outlook towards life started changing, with each book he read. Michael realized that people with much more difficulties, in life, had emerged triumphant against life's challenges. He decided to finish his schooling & eventually becoming a lawyer, after finishing his sentence at the reform home...
"Respect, walk...."-Pantera
The day Michael was released from the reform home, was a Saturday. The books he read, made sure that he was better(& not bitter), when he walked out of that facility. Michael went to a tattoo shop, to get himself inked. The tattoo he got on his right arm read 'Freigeist'( a term often used by the philosopher Nietzsche to describe a free spirit, not bound by norms, or power). Michael apologized to his foster parents, & vowed never to let them down. He joined school, the next month. Though a certified delinquent, Michael had a calm & confident mien. His only aim was to study, & also to avoid trouble, as he didn't want to let his parents down...
"Better than you..."-Metallica
Michael studied real hard, & his efforts started bearing fruit. At home he devoted most of his time on studying, & took only occasional breaks to listen to music. His foster parents were pleasantly surprised, to see this sea change in their son. Michael also started working out, thrice a week, to vent out frustration, & become a better person. There were lowlife bullies, who tried to get Michael into trouble, but he steered clear of trouble. He finished 10th grade, with honors, & became very popular among his schoolmates...
"Nothing else matters..."-Metallica
Time flew by, & in time Michael because of his strenuous efforts, got the opportunity to study law at Harvard. "When you live certain dreams, they set your soul ablaze...It kinda makes you invincible..", wrote Michael in his journal. Law was interesting to Michael, he spent hours in the library, studying it. One day, while searching for a book, he ran into Monica. She was studying business management at Harvard, & was a thoroughbred lady. Monica hailed from the UK, a millionaire's daughter, & she took a liking to Michael, almost instantly. The two of them started spending time together, & started falling deeper & deeper in love with each other. On the 29th of February that year, Monica proposed to Michael, & the two of them got engaged in a month's time...
Michael married Monica, & the two of them lived a bodacious married life. The two of them graduated with honors in their respective fields. They settled in Chicago, & started living the busy life. Two years down the line, Monica was pregnant with their first child, who was named John. They raised John, with all the luxuries & pampering possible. One day, while Michael & Monica were sitting on the beach, he said:"We have a perfect life now...But looking back, if I hadn't changed, while in that reform home, I wouldn't have reached this far....Monica, I want to help out juvenile delinquents, to live a better life....I want to support them through high school....Do you think that's a crazy idea?". Monica rejoined:"It's not an easy job...But I'll help you out, the best I can.."...
"Men rise on stepping stones of their selves to higher things.."-Megadeth
Michael & Monica went to the nearby juvenile reform, with self-help classics, & inpirational movies.After handing them over to the warden, Michael spoke to the inmates thus:"I was once in a place like this...But now I'm a successful lawyer...I am here to tell you that you can do it too...We'll be back here one month from now...I want all of you to read these books, & watch these movies as often as you can..My wife & I will give you a counselling session...So get busy reading, & planning for a better future..."
Michael & Monica got busy contacting non profit organisations to help them on their quest. Phone calls, emails & faxes were sent to hundreds of such organisations. They even put up ads in famous newspapers. After 20 days, their efforts bore fruit. An organisation promised to provide the financial support they needed. Michael & Monica also decided to keep aside a major part of their hard earned money for this purpose. Exactly one month later, the two of them visited the reform home. The inmates were filled with exultation, on seeing them. Monica & Michael, interviewed the inmates, & the 5 best inmates were offered a chance to study in reputed schools. Before leaving Michael said to the other inmates:"Don't feel left out, we'll be back in 6 months' time, to select the next 5 inmates..."..3 years later Monica delivered a baby girl, Michelle, & the both of them were overjoyed to welcome this new addition to their family...
Over the next 10 years' time, Michael & his wife suported the education of 100s of juvenile delinquents. They look upon Michael & Monica as their mentors, & keep in touch with them. Michael's family is always receiving special gifts from their disciples on festive occasions. John & Michelle are brilliant students, & are devoted to their parents. Though Michael & Monica spend money for their cause, they are now millionaires, & enjoy a wonderful life...Michael wrote in his journal that night:" The human spirit can achieve anything it wants....Though the strings of destiny can tug at the spirit, free will is a mighty entity, & it can help the human spirit soar to any heights..."