SHUTRUK NAHUNTE....KING OF ELAM

Why Serve? What makes a person in Afghanistan stand for election when conventional wisdom would alert them of the catastrophic consequences of this decision? And what made Clara Barton establish free schooling in New Jersey and then go on to establish the North American Red Cross Society? And why would men and women waste away the most productive period of their lifeline in associations such as Rotary, Peace Corps, Red Cross, Stern Non Profit. And what drives an ordinary person to put his life on the line just to ensure that another person in another country totally unrelated to his, lives a truly free and democratic life. Have you ever wondered why some of the busiest men would give of their time to become trustees, mentors and activists? Why would busy men like Jack Welch, Donald Trump, "Ace" Greenberg etc answer to the call of spending time with us here at Stern. Why would Kerwin spare his time and personal resources to setting up a New York chapter of Nation Building? I discovered the answer from Shutruk Nahunte. Most of you will not recognize this name and chances are if you had not read this article, you would have gone to the grave without ever knowing whom this person is. I would want you to know this name because this name represents a phenomenon that is ever present in each generation. Shutruk Nahunte is mentioned in the film, The Emperor's Club. Kevin Kline plays the role of William Hundert, a professor of history at an elite boarding school. This is an excerpt from the first day of Hundert's class...

Professor: "You sir, would you do me a favor and walk to the back of this classroom and read for us the plaque which you see hanging over that door." The boy looking very nervous rises and walks towards the back of the room, looks up and begins to read the inscription carved into the plaque. Student: "I am Shutruk-Nahunte, king of Anshand and Susa, sovereign of the land of Elam. By the command of Inshushinak, I destroyed Sippar and took the stele of Niran-Sin and brought it back to Elam, where I erected it as an offering to my god. Shuktruk Nahunte, 1158 B.C." Professor: "Well done, Mr. Blythe, thank you, you may be seated. Shutruk-Nahunte - is anyone familiar with this fellow? Texts are permissible... but you won't find him there. Shutruk-Nahunte, king, sovereign of the land of Elam." Rolling down a map, the teacher points to the kingdom in question, just to the east of Israel above the Red Sea. "Destroyer of Sippar! Behold, his accomplishments cannot be found in any history book. WHY!? Because great ambition and conquest, without contribution, is without significance. What will your contribution be? How will history remember you?

Dare to be Different I do not want to leave this planet without making my mark. Yes I am full of ambition. I want to be a top-notch investment banker! I want to become the next President of my country. Yes I would want to conquer everything in my path but I do not want to end up like Shutruk-Nahunte. This is a king who conquered and ruled the Great Babylon, yet no one remembers him. This scares me! I refuse to become another statistic. Society has turned us into self-serving and self-fulfilling beings. If we are to have our accomplishments talked about for ages to come we have to draw inspiration form this story. We have to make a significant contribution to society. Life is not about being the "sole" Survivor nor the "sole" Apprentice. We have to redefine success. Remember where you came from and remember to pay back to society your dues. Remember Stern, your community, everywhere you go remember the teaching of Shutruk-Nahunte--that great ambition and conquest, without contribution, is without significance. Have a servant mentality everywhere you go. Leaders are there to serve.

Roll of Honor The choice is yours whether have an attitude less like Shutruk-Nahunte's and more like Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King Clara Barton? That's what the world needs to see more of today from Sudan to Iraq, from the trading rooms on Wall Street to the Projects of Brooklyn - people who are not so much conquerors as contributors. The lesson lies in letting go of your rights and privileges so you could easily take on tasks that benefit others. Shutruk-Nahunte served only himself and now is forgotten.

Closing Remarks I personally want to thank Mac Narahara for putting together a splendid International Passport Day! Be blessed and stay blessed!