John was born without arms. As a child, he learned to do many things with his legs. But there were a lot of things he couldn't do. His parents even had to feed him. His seven brothers had to help him to get dressed.
One day his mom decided not to help John anymore. She told John's brothers not to help him either. "Let John do everything on his own," she said. "If John needs to eat, let him eat by himself. Let him get the dish himself. If he breaks up a few dishes, it's fine. No one will help him to get dressed either. Let him wear his clothes himself. If he can't get dressed himself, then let him run without clothes. But no one is allowed to help him. He has to learn to do everything himself."
John's mother loved him. She wanted to help him. But if she always helped him, he wouldn't learn anything. She wanted him to be independent.
Soon John learned to do everything by himself. When he was sixteen, he could even drive a car with his feet. John felt very proud. He thanked his mother for making him independent.
Today John is a grown-up man. He has a business of his own and he is very successful. He also travels around the world.
John likes children very much. He likes to talk and play with them. He tells them that they can learn to do anything. He teaches them how to be independent.
