Students in the Brandon Valley School District got a visit from a very special speaker this past week. For years he's been telling a story that's changed the lives of thousands of school children. V.J. Smith is a motivational speaker and a published author. He wrote the book, "The Richest Man In Town".  Recently, he shared the story with students in the Brandon Valley School District.

When V.J. talks, the kids can't help but listen, especially when he's telling this story. V.J. says, "It's about my relationship with a man that ran a cash register at Wal-Mart and his name was Marty."

Marty taught V.J. a lot about what it really means to be rich. It had nothing to do with money, but with being loved, respected and content with every aspect of life. V.J. encourages kids to say thank you, to be kind and compassionate.

The kids seem to be listening. 8th Grader Marissa South says, "I'm going to appreciate what I have more, and be thankful for everything." 8th Grader Brock Wickett says, "You don't have to have money to be happy.  Always say thank you. Be a good person." 

V.J. Smith is a graduate of South Dakota State University. He says if we want a kinder world in the next generation, we have to spread that message now. Vera Sun Energy Corporation is sponsoring V.J. Smith's visits to schools.

By the end of this year, he'll have talked to around 30,000 kids in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota.