An immigrant describes ordering "same thing" at fast-food restaurants because he couldn't read English menus, and wondering if the American Dream was possible for him. He shares the advice that changed his mind: work hard, work long, and never give up.
The first two words I learned were same thing. I started using those two words to the match. I would go to McDonald's. I couldn't read the menu. I would wait until the person in front of me order, and when they say, "May I take your order?" I would say, "Same thing." Of course, same thing was not always the same, but that's that's what I had to carry on in this country. And I got to a point I began to question myself: Am I going to really make it in this country? I heard. I've heard about the American dream. Am I going to be able to live that dream? Now, the questions we ask ourselves determines the direction we take. So I kept asking myself that question until one man told me about the American dream, and he explained to me how it is possible for anyone who is willing to work hard, work hard, not overnight success, burn the midnight oil, and who is willing to stay with it. Don't give up.
