An old blind man was sitting on a busy street corner in the rush-hour
begging for money. On a cardboard sign, next to an empty tin cup, he had
written: 'Blind - Please help'.
No-one was giving him any money.
A young advertising writer walked past and saw the blind man with his sign
and empty cup, and also saw the many people passing by completely unmoved, let
alone stopping to give money.
The advertising writer took a thick marker-pen from her pocket, turned the
cardboard sheet back-to-front, and re-wrote the sign, then went on her way.
Immediately, people began putting money into the tin cup.
After a while, when the cup was overflowing, the blind man asked a stranger
to tell him what the sign now said.
"It says," said the stranger, “‘it’s a beautiful day. You can see
it. I cannot.' "
( This story illustrates in a
timeless way how important choice of words and language is when we want to
truly connect with and move other people. The story can also be used to explore
issues of disability, equality, discrimination and political correctness, for
example, what is it that makes this story offensive to some people?, and given
the valuable main message, is there a way to adapt this story so that it cannot
cause offence to anyone? )
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