don't judge a book by its cover

"In the year 1884, a young man from America died while on a visit to Europe. His middle-aged grieving parents returned with the body. They were heartbroken. After the funeral, they began to discuss some kind of a memorial to his memory, not a tombstone or an ornate grave, but a living memorial, something that would help other young men like their son. They decided that something in the field of education would be most appropriate. It would be a kind of memorial that would go on year after year helping to educate young people.
"They arranged for an appointment with Dr. Charles Eliot, then the president of Harvard University. He received the unpretentious couple into his office and asked what he could do for them. They told him about the death of their son and apologized for taking up his valuable time. They explained that they wanted to establish a memorial to his memory -- something that would help other young men like their son get an education. Dr. Eliot looked at the couple with some impatience and a certain suggestion of aristocratic disdain. "Perhaps you have in mind a scholarship?" "No," said the woman in her mild manner belying the quickness and sharpness of her mind. "We were thinking of something more substantial than that -- perhaps a new building or so. . ." "I must explain to you," said Eliot with what seemed a patronizing air, "That which you suggest costs a great deal of money. Buildings are very expensive." Obviously, Eliot did not think that from their appearance they were capable of that kind of donation.
"There was a pause, then the lady rose slowly and asked, 'Dr. Eliot, what has this entire university cost?' Eliot shrugged and, muttering, stated a figure that amounted to several millions of dollars in that 1884 deflationary economy. 'Oh, we can do better than that,' said the lady, who now seemed to have made up her mind about the entire thing. 'Come, dear,' she motioned to her husband, 'I have an idea.' Then they left.
"The following year, President Eliot of Harvard learned that the plain, unpretentious couple had contributed $30 million for a memorial to their son. The memorial is known as Stanford University, named after their son Leland Stanford, Jr.
"God forgive you and me if we let His potential, His gifts, His spiritual gifts slip through our fingers like that." (John A. Huffman, Jr., "Thanksgiving Comes Early This Year")