Walt Disney employed a woman, let's call her Ida, who worked as the cleaner in his personal apartment in Hollywood. She was very good at her job and kept the place spotless. He appreciated that a great deal. However, while she was pleased to have the job and to work in nice surroundings, she thought he was a mean old man. Her reason was this.
Every Christmas Walt Disney would give his staff a bonus.
For most of them it came to several hundred dollars, but all he gave to Ida each year was a fancy looking document. 'Take good care of this', he would tell her. Later, at home, she would call her son John and complain, 'I suppose he thinks it would look good on my wall', she would say. 'Phuh! Mean old devil'.
Each year she stuffed these papers away in a drawer, thinking that at least Walt Disney's autograph on them might be worth something if she really needed a few dollars in an emergency.
Years later Walt Disney died. And Ida's job died with him. Older now, and no job, her means were modest so John suggested she go to live near him. They found a small apartment that was suitable, and Ida prepared to move. John went over to help her clear her old house. They toiled away and were getting the job done well on schedule, when John came through from the back room waving a handful of the Walt Disney papers.
'Mother, are these the papers Mr Disney gave you that you complained about?'
'Yes, dear. I suppose I should sell them now. A few extra dollars would be useful.'
'Yes, mother. I think you might well,' replied John, 'these are Disney shares and at a rough estimate I think you are worth about three quarters of a million dollars!'
