Do you want to be a businessman? The story is for you.

Rafiq, 22, stirred his coffee absently as the rain pattered lightly against the café windows. He should have been having a party. He graduated from college today with a business degree, honors, and first place in his class. However, he chose to sit by himself and watch the drops race down the glass rather than popping champagne with friends.Mr. Idris, a graying man in his late sixties, sat across the table, calm and with keen eyes. He had been contacted by Rafiq via a common buddy. He was a self-made businessman who, using just a carton of mangoes and a leased bicycle, had established a shipping empire. He was a legend.Mr. Idris sipped his tea and remarked, "You mentioned that you wanted to talk." "What are you thinking about?"After a moment of hesitation, Rafiq leaned forward. "Like you, sir, I aspire to be a businessman. I'd like to construct something tangible. However, I'm not sure where to start.Mr. Idris gave a small smile. "You're posing a significant query. I'll return the favor by asking: What makes you desire to be a businessman?Rafiq blurted out, "I want freedom." "To forge my own route" to run my own business. And, indeed, to succeed. Rich.The elderly man's eyebrow went up. "The easy part is Rich. If they work hard enough, most people can make money. Whether you can create anything that outlasts you is the question.Rafiq blinked. That's what I desire: a legacy. Legacy. Impact.Mr. Idris leaned back and nodded. Then allow me to share a story with you. This is the story of a boy named Idris. I didn't come from a wealthy family. Fishing was my father's occupation. He was proud, but we hardly had enough food. And he would constantly say, "God will not let you go hungry if your hands are clean and your heart is strong."Idris, who was sixteen, had higher expectations than the water could provide. He purchased a box of mangoes on credit and borrowed a bicycle from his cousin. The vendor requested, "Please sell them and return with double the amount." Idris pedaled to a crowded market five kilometers away. He sold out by lunchtime. He pocketed the remainder and gave the merchant his money back."I repeated it the next day. However, the situation recurred. A buyer once requested whether I could provide twenty cartons. Despite not knowing how, I said yes.Rafiq leaned closer. "What did you do?"Idris said plainly, "I figured it out." "I asked other fruit vendors for help. If they helped, I promised them profits. I rented a small van to help. I worked frantically. However, I delivered.Everything changed with that order. Idris owned a warehouse by the time he was twenty-five. He started selling fruit to nearby nations by the age of thirty. Next followed logistics, trade alliances, and shipping.Idris tapped the table and added, "But here's what they don't tell you." I have many failures. I fell victim to deception. robbed. I lost everything twice. I once sat on my office floor and sobbed because I was unable to pay my employees."What persevered?" Quietly, Rafiq inquired.Idris remarked, "I realized why I began." "It was not solely for financial gain." My goal was to construct something that would generate employment. honor. I wanted to be a source of pride for my nation.He hesitated. You wish to pursue a career in business? Let me then teach you ten lessons. You won't find them in your textbooks.Rafiq straightened his posture.First of all, you must have a problem-solving obsession. Money follows solutions. The opposite is not true.Second, begin with what you already have. Don't wait for ideal circumstances. Mangoes weren't flawless. However, they made a sale.Third: Get good at selling. You will fail if you are unable to market an idea, a product, or a desire.Fourth: Your most valuable resource is people. Your crew should be treated as partners, not as servants.Fifth: Have faith, but double-check. I once lost half of my business after trusting a friend. Never combine blind faith with business.Sixth: Recognize your metrics. Cash flow is your lifeblood. Cash is not profit. Discover the distinction.Seventh: Change or perish. The world is changing quickly. Companies that don't change will die.Eighth: One's reputation is crucial. You can be destroyed by one falsehood or one unfulfilled promise."Ninth: The journey includes failure. Learn from it instead of fearing it. However, don't repeat the same error repeatedly.Idris paused to emphasize the eleventh point: "Never forget why you started." Your compass is your "why."There was silence in the café. The rain had even stopped, as though it was listening.Rafiq sat quietly, taking it all in. "Well, where do I start?"Mr. Idris grinned. Begin modestly. Examine your surroundings. What issues do people face? How much will they pay to have it fixed? Is there a better, quicker, or less expensive way to remedy it?Rafiq paused to reflect. Many university students find it difficult to secure internships. Perhaps I might develop a website that links students with small companies in need of immediate assistance.Idris nodded and said, "That's a problem worth solving." "Begin there. You will make errors. You'll be disoriented. However, you will develop if you continue to learn, listen, and adjust.He got to his feet and held out his hand. Being a businessman has nothing to do with prestige or suits. It's about bravery, perseverance, and service. Welcome to the journey if you're prepared for that.Rafiq stood and gave a solid shake of his hand. He experienced something more profound than excitement for the first time that day: purpose.After Three YearsOn a stage, a young businessman called Rafiq accepted a prize for youth employment innovation. Over 10,000 pupils have found practical experience thanks to his startup.An elderly man in the front row grinned with pride. Mr. Idris gave a slow clap, his eyes sparkling.“He asked me once if he could be a businessman,” he muttered, leaning down to the person beside him. He is currently constructing a future.Do you want this story to be made into a short video script or modified for a younger audience?