Bright

Optimism... well, the boy who would later write such imaginative stories had every reason not to be optimistic. A father in jail, seemingly insurmountable debts and a gruelling job would seem to be enough to grind anyone down.

But do you know what? Not a bit of it.

The Charles Dickens I met that night had the most remarkable outlook on life. Although - as I was to discover - life had dealt him an unusually cruel hand, he was determined that he would make his fortune, and escape the drudgery in which he was currently trapped.

It was this attitude that had inspired his generosity toward me; he wasn't clinging to his money as if it were his last - although, in fact, it was his last. Instead, his belief in himself allowed him to see and appreciate the needs of others.

Not only an intelligent boy, but a remarkable boy - as, in fact, I believe I said to him.



Story begins here