School Certificate story by Frank Mihalic

Story title: School Certificate
By: Frank Mihalic
 
         A man took a picture to a gift shop to have it framed. At the counter he heard a lady customer telling the sales clerk that she wanted a frame for a picture worth $ 20, 000.

         The clerk gasped and stammered and explained that although the shop did not usually handle such expensive items, they would certainly do their best.
         The customer said that she was satisfied with that. Then she opened her carrying bag, took out her son's college diploma, and laid it on the counter.
        Do we ever realize how much of an investment any boy or girl in school for ten years turns out to be? How much thousands of dollars a year it costs parents and taxpayers in clothes and food and books, in equipment and building and teacher salaries and school fees.
        The pupils' part of that unwritten contract is to study hard to earn that diploma which they and their parents will rightfully want to frame and display as a valuable picture worth $20, 000.
        The next time you go into the office of a doctor or teacher or lawyer, notice the framed diplomas and certificates hanging on the wall.
        Behind them is the untold story of generous parents and patrons and governments who have no diplomas to display for making possible the diploma you are looking at.