First Important Lesson - "Know The Cleaning Lady"

During my second month of college, our professor gave

 us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed

through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the 

first 

name of the woman who cleans the school?"

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning

 woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her

 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper

leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one 

student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz

 grade.

"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet 

many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention 

and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was

Dorothy.