William woke at three in the morning to work as a refuse collector on the streets of Manchester. Thanks to his excellent grades in school, he’d earned a scholarship to study at university. He wanted to become an engineer—not to get rich, but to build a better life and support his family.
It wasn’t easy. Juggling work and studies meant planning every minute. He rose at dawn, squeezing in an hour or two of revision before heading out. By five, he was on his rounds, sometimes working past nine. Rushing home or to public restrooms, he’d wash up as best he could. In winter, the cold bit deep; in summer, the stench of the rubbish lorry clung to him.
Sometimes he arrived late to lectures. Other times, even after scrubbing clean, the smell lingered. It wasn’t by choice—he couldn’t help it. His classmates scowled, keeping their distance. Muttered jokes slithered through the room. Someone would fling open a window with exaggerated disgust. No one sat beside him.
William kept his head down, silent, scribbling notes with shaking hands from exhaustion. His eyelids grew heavy, but he fought it. He had to push through. For a future worth fighting for.
The tutors noticed. He answered questions sharply, never cheated, never complained. After a gruelling exam, the professor marched in, grim-faced. “Everyone failed,” he announced. A hush fell. “Except William.”
Whispers erupted. “The prof must favour him,” came the mutters. “How does he even study?”
The professor turned to William. “How do you manage it?”
Nervous under the stares, William swallowed. “I recite lessons aloud. Summarise everything. Record myself and listen back while I work.”
Silence.
Later, the professor overheard students mocking William in the hall. He rounded on them. “You’ve no idea what hard work is. He’s up before sunrise hauling bins while you’re still asleep. Yet here he is, outperforming you all—without a word of complaint. Be ashamed. Learn from him.”
The snickering died. Some looked away. One by one, apologies trickled in. The professor sat beside William. “Don’t let this grind break you. Life isn’t fair, but what you’re doing matters. You’re not alone.”
William barely spoke. Just smiled. Inside, he knew the struggle was worth it.
Don’t stop. Your worth isn’t in how they see you, but in what you do when no one’s watching. Like William. Keep going. One day, it’ll pay off. You deserve that much.
