The Best Investment I Ever Made

1. Prepare a write up based on the story 'The best Investment I Ever Made'

Answer :

The Best Investment I Ever Made

'The Best Investment I Ever Made' is an inspirational story written by the Scottish writer A. J. Cronin. It is a creative outcome from the personal experience of the author’s life as a doctor in London. The word 'investment' used in the title of the story is not related to any monetary gain. Rather, it is about the social investment made by the author into the life of a misguided youth who tried to commit suicide because of stealing a small amount of money.

The doctor (author) with the help of a police sergeant, once saved a misguided youth who attempted suicide.  After regaining his consciousness, the youth narrated his unfortunate story to the doctor, the sergeant and the landlady. After the death of his parents, he got employed in a Solicitor’s office.  Due to some bad company, he lost all his money in horse betting. In order to recoup all his lost money, he stole some money from his office safe and made a final gambling . But unfortunately he lost the money also. Fearing of further trial and punishment , he attempted suicide by turning on the gas.

 After hearing his sad story, All the three of them decided to give the young man a fresh beginning. The doctor gave the young man Seven pounds and ten shillings, to put back in the office safe. The sergeant decided not to report the case and the landlady offered him one month free accommodation.

Interestingly, after 25 years of gap, during a ship voyage, the doctor met the same youth Mr. John.S, along with his wife. Though John was a solicitor by profession, he also served as the director of a charitable organization devoted to the care of boys and girls, mostly from city slums, who had fallen under the ban of the law. The couple had been actively involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of child offenders for last 15 years. The doctor realized that the couple would take derelict adolescents from the juvenile courts and place them in a healthy environment, heal them in mind and body and send them back into the world. They were also given training in a useful handicraft which would make them to be the worthy members of the community.  The doctor felt that the small amount he had given to the young man turned out to be the best investment he had ever made in his life.  Though it did not give him any monetary dividends, it gave him immense satisfaction.

2. The narrator in the story The Best Investment I Ever Made' had an eventful voyage. After with his meeting with John, he decided to write a letter to his wife sharing his feelings. Draft the likely letter.

Answer :

AJ Cottage

AB Street

London - 07

20 May 1996

My dear Mary,

How're you? Hope you're doing well. I'm also OK here.

Mary, I'm writing this letter to share an important matter with you. Last day, on my voyage from New york I met a couple named Mr and Mrs John from London. Through the conversation with them, I realized that there was a close relationship between Mr John and I before 25 years!  I'm sure you would have the excitement to know about that.. Well, I'll explain you.

When I just set up my medical practice in a working class town of London, I had to handle a suicide case. It was informed by a sergeant of police. I, with the help of a police sergeant, saved the misguided youth who attempted suicide.  After regaining his consciousness, the youth narrated his unfortunate story to us. After the death of his parents, he got employed in a Solicitor’s office.  Due to some bad company, he lost all his money in horse betting. In order to recoup all his lost money, he stole some money from his office safe and made a final gambling . But unfortunately he lost the money also. Fearing of further trial and punishment , he attempted suicide by turning on the gas. After hearing his sad story, All the three of us decided to give the young man a fresh beginning. I gave the young man Seven pounds and ten shillings, to put back in the office safe. The sergeant decided not to report the case and the landlady offered him one month free accommodation.

Interestingly, after 25 years of gap, during a ship voyage, I met the same youth Mr. John.S, along with his wife! Though John was a solicitor by profession, he also served as the director of a charitable organization devoted to the care of boys and girls, mostly from city slums, who had fallen under the ban of the law. The couple had been actively involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of child offenders for last 15 years. I realized that the couple would take derelict adolescents from the juvenile courts and place them in a healthy environment, heal them in mind and body and send them back into the world. They were also given training in a useful handicraft which would make them to be the worthy members of the community.

 I feel that the small amount I had given to the young man turned out to be the best investment I had ever made in my life.  Though it does not give me any monetary dividends, it gives me immense satisfaction.

Hope, you enjoyed the story of Mr. John. I'm concluding my letter. Convey my warm regards to all. See you soon dear. Expecting your favourable reply.

Yours lovingly,

AJ Cronin

(Sd/-)

3. CHARACTER SKETCH OF JOHN 

Mr. John is the central character of the story ‘The Best Investment I Ever Made' written by the Scottish writer A. J. Cronin   He was an orphan boy. He had an unhappy and miserable past. An uncle had found him a position as a clerk in a London solicitor's office. Utterly friendless, he had fallen victim to the loose society of the streets . He spoiled all his savings for betting and gambling. In order to recoup all his lost savings, he stole some money from his office safe. But unfortunately he last resort also became a failure. Terrified of the prosecution that must follow, sunk in despair, he tried to commit suicide. But the doctor, with the help of a sergeant saved his life. The doctor gave him 7 pounds 10 shillings to replace the stolen money from the office. The landlady offered him one month free accommodation. The sergeant also helped him by not reporting the case. Hence, their kind approach gave him a new life. That incident changed his life completely. He sacrificed his life for the betterment of maladjusted youth. He believes that it was Cronin, the doctor who channelled him to this social service. It was a great investment for the doctor.

4. Mr. John writes his diary after meeting the narrator.

20 May 1996 Monday It is an unforgettable day in my life. Thank god. I got my life back .How silly I was trying to end myself only for Seven pounds 10 shillings! Now I realize the value of god gifted life .I am sure the doctor, the surgeon and the landlady are the agents of God. The real angels on earth! What would happen to me, If they didn't come on time ? I can't even think of it. It is all because of my uncontrolled and lavish life. I spoiled all my savings by betting on horses . But all the three of them, the sergeant, the doctor and the land lady offered me a fresh beginning in life. My life is totally owed to them. The landlady offered me one month free accommodation. .The sergeant also helped me by not reporting my case .And of course, it's the doctor who has given me a rebirth. He cured me well and saved my life. Then he also gave me an amount of Seven pounds 10 shillings to put back in the office safe.  I have learnt a lesson from them. They opened a new world before me. Now I wish to take an important decision of my life. From today I'll serve all my life for such people like me who need to be healed in mind and body.