"A true friend encourages us, comforts us, supports us like a big easy
chair, offering us a safe refuge from the world." - H. Jackson Brown,
Jr.
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| True Friendship |
Bits & Pieces, of January
9, 1992 has the story. When Jan Paderewski was to leave his native
Poland to play his first recital in London, he asked an influential
compatriot to give him a letter of introduction to a leading figure in
Britain's musical world, who might be of assistance should anything go
amiss. The letter was handed to him in a sealed envelope. He hoped that
everything would proceed smoothly and he would not have to use it. He
did not; his debut was a success and no snags developed. Some years
later, while going through his papers, Paderewski came upon the letter
and opened it. It read: "This will introduce Jan Paderewski, who plays
the piano, for which he demonstrates no conspicuous talent."
This
is a true story. Some years ago, a young man was shocked to discover
that he was passed for a promotion, for which everyone knew
