The billionaire replied, “Yes, there is a person who is richer than me.” He then narrated a story.

“It was during the time when I wasn’t rich or famous. I was at the New York Airport when I saw a newspaper vendor. I wanted to buy one newspaper but found that I didn’t have enough change. So I left the idea of buying and returned it to the vendor. I told him of not having the change. The vendor said, ‘I am giving you this for free.’ On his insistence I took the newspaper.

Coincidentally, after two to three months, I landed at the same airport and again I was short of change for a newspaper. The vendor offered me the newspaper again. I refused and said that I can’t take it for I don’t have change today too. He said, ‘You can take it, I am sharing this from my profit, I won’t be at loss.’ I took the newspaper.

After 19 years I became famous and known by people. Suddenly I remembered that vendor. I began searching for him and after about 1½ months of searching, I found him. I asked him, ‘Do you know me?’ He said, ‘Yes, you are the richest man in the world.’ I asked him again, ‘Do you remember once you gave me a newspaper for free?’The vendor said, ‘Yes, I remember. I gave you twice.’

“I said, ‘I want to repay the help you had offered me that time. Whatever you want in your life, tell me, I shall fulfill it.’ The vendor said, ‘Sir, don’t you think that by doing so you won’t be able to match my help?’ I asked, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘I had helped you when I was a poor newspaper vendor and you are trying to help me now, when you have become the richest man in the world. How can your help match mine ?’

That day I realized that the newspaper vendor is richer than I am, because he didn’t wait to become rich to help someone.”