The Rich Man and the Homeless Teacher: A Mother’s Secret Finally Revealed

Rich Man Sees His Former School Teacher as a Homeless Man – ‘I’m Here Because of Your Mother,’ Says Teacher

I was halted in my tracks by a familiar figure as I was about to close another business. I never thought I would see this man again, certainly not in this particular form. The next item he revealed to me altered my understanding of my past.

Even with my fancy coat on, the wind blasted down the busy city street, sending shivers down my spine. I had my head spinning with numbers and forecasts for the next business meeting when I noticed something, or rather, someone.

Wearing a ragged coat, the guy was leaning against a structure. I tried to turn away at first, but there was something familiar about him.

Then it dawned on me.

“Mr. Williams?” I paused, my words tinged with incredulity. “Mr. Williams, is that really you?”

My heart fell when the man slowly raised his head. Without a doubt, that was him. His eyes met mine, once bright but now worn and dull, and I saw the glimmer of recognition in them.

“Arthur,” he growled, his voice gruff from the cold, or perhaps from a more painful, deeper source.

“Dear Arthur, I’m really embarrassed by the way you perceive me.”

“Mr. Williams,” I said once again as I moved in closer. I couldn’t take my eyes off the man who used to be my support.

“What took place? How did you come to be this way?”

He chuckled bitterly, his voice raspy and dry.

“Life has a way of throwing curveballs, doesn’t it?” Glancing down, he pulled the tattered coat closer over his thin frame.

“However, you, Arthur… You’ve achieved success for yourself. similar to your parents.”

I shouted, “You taught me everything,” my chest swelled with a mixture of appreciation and regret.

“Without you, I never would have made it to where I am now. To me, you were more than just an instructor. You resembled a father in every way.”

With softened eyes, he raised his gaze to me. “Arthur, I did everything I could. However, you are responsible for your own achievement.”

“No,” with a shake of my head, I insisted.

You’re not understanding. It was neither the money nor my mother. You were the one. You gave me self-control, critical thinking skills, and the will to persevere.”

Mr. Williams let out a long breath, his breath echoing in the chilly air. “You give me too much credit, Arthur.”

I knelt alongside him and spoke with a hint of desperation. “Mr. Williams, please allow me to assist you. This is incorrect. This isn’t what you deserve.”

He paused, and an uncomfortable stillness stretched between us. At last, he spoke something in a sorrowful tone.

“Arthur, I’m here because of your mother.”

The words lingered in the air like a horrible dream as I froze.

“What are you trying to say? Mommy? What role does she play in this?

With a grief in his eyes that I had never seen in him before, he nodded slowly.

“Your mother have a knack for achieving her goals. And when it escaped her…

“What happened?” With obvious urgency in my voice, I asked. “Please, Mr. Williams, tell me.”

He averted his gaze and gripped the edges of his coat with quivering palms.

“It all began when I marked an exam lower for you. Do you recall? It was done to challenge you and help you realize your potential rather than to punish you.”

“I recall,” I mutely uttered. “You always said I could do better.”

“Arthur, I had faith in you. However, your mother did not see it that way. He took a moment to gather his thoughts.

“She insisted that I alter your grade when she visited me. I declined. I assured her that the lessons you would learn from failure were more important than grades.

My heart was pounding, and I could feel fear rising in my belly. “And then?”

“She wasn’t happy,” Mr. Williams added, regretting everything in his voice. She vowed to destroy me if I disobeyed. But I didn’t back down.”

I balled my fists, a simmering rage beneath them. “This is unbelievable… I was ignorant of this.”

With a sour smirk, he remarked, “She returned a few days later, acting like she wanted to make amends.”

“She asked me to a café and expressed her need to comprehend my viewpoint. I reasoned that perhaps we could come to an agreement.”

Though I needed to hear it, I could see where this was going. “And?”

“She wasn’t alone when I got there,” he remarked, his voice cracking a little.

“With her was the principal of the school. She alleged that I had sought the meeting in order to ensure your scores and accused me of acting improperly. Since she was a member of the school board, the principal gave her credibility.”

I felt sick to my stomach as the pieces began to fall into place. “They fired you.”

“Not just fired,” he clarified, his eyes growing gloomy.

“My name was put on a blacklist. I wouldn’t be touched by any school. After that, I became ill. I gave my entire life to my treatment, and now look at me.”

I gazed at him, feeling as though a tonne of bricks were bearing down on me from his words.

“Mr. Williams… I really apologize. I was ignorant of this.”

With a gentle touch on my shoulder, he whispered, “Arthur, it wasn’t your fault.” “But now you know the truth.”

I took a deep breath, my thoughts whirling. “Allow me to assist you. I am unable to simply leave here. I am the person I am because of you. Please allow me to make amends in whatever way I can.”

Mr. Williams leaned on me as we made our way to my car. He appeared to be suffering with every step, and I couldn’t help but worry how much more this man had endured. But I was certain of one thing: I would not allow him to leave this again.

He said in a reluctant voice, “Arthur, you don’t have to do this. I’ve done okay thus far. Almost, but I’ve made it work. I wish to not be a burden.

“Burden?” I paused and gave him a disbelieving look.

“You were never a burden, Mr. Williams. I have everything I needed from you to be successful. I should at least try to help you a little in return. In addition, I’ve been thinking that I could use someone just like you.”

His eyebrow went up, obviously perplexed. “What do you mean?”

I spoke slowly and replied, “Well, Mr. Williams, I’ve got two kids of my own now.” Although they are intelligent, they require a challenger and someone who won’t just provide them with the simple solutions. An individual similar to yourself.”

His face changed from one of perplexity to hope, something I hadn’t seen in his eyes in a long time. “Arthur… are you asking me to…?”

“Yes,” I agreed, too excited to hold back.

“I would like you to come work for me as my children’s private tutor. I have the utmost confidence in you to handle their schooling. They want someone who, like you did with me, will teach them not only how to solve equations but also how to think and be disciplined.”

He stayed silent for a brief while, his eyes shining with unspoken feelings.

“Arthur,” he murmured, his voice just audible above a whisper, “I’m at a loss for words.” Following everything that has occurred… I had no intention of teaching again. I believed that phase of my life was finished.”

I tried to express to him how much this meant to me by giving him a shoulder squeeze.

It’s still ongoing, Mr. Williams. You still have so much to give. My children will be fortunate to have you in their lives. Just consider it to be a fresh start.”

His voice trembled as he spoke, blinking back tears. Arthur, I don’t deserve this. Not after everything I’ve done wrong.”

“Mistakes?” I gave a headshake. “Letting someone like you slip between the cracks was the only error. I wasn’t let down by you, Mr. Williams. I’m saved by you. I now want to assist you in doing the same for my kids.”

He gave me a thank-you and a shocked expression at the same time. “Is there any way I could ever repay you?”

I gently remarked, “You’ve already paid me back a thousand times over,” and led him to the car.

Simply accompany me home. After we help you get moved in, we’ll take care of the rest.”

There was a comfortable, unspoken agreement in the silence between us as we drove across the city. Mr. Williams turned to face me as we finally arrived at my house, his voice full of determination.

“Arthur,” he replied, “I promise not to disappoint you,” with a strength I hadn’t heard in years. I promise to provide your kids even more than I did for you. They’ll develop into adults who are just as strong and competent as you are.”

Warmth that I hadn’t felt in a long time filled my chest as I grinned.

“Mr. Williams, I’m sure you will. And nobody is going to take that away from you this time.”

He gave a nod, and as we got out of the car, he stopped and looked up at the house, which represented both the life he had just ended and the one he was about to start anew. With a determined look in his eyes, he turned to face me.

“Let’s get to work,” he replied, his lips slightly pursed in a faint smile.