It’s Never Too Late to Change (Ⅱ)

17 It’s Never Too Late to Change (II) Alfred Nobel, one of the richest men in Sweden, did not want to be remembered as a destroyer. Upon learning how the world would remember him when he died, he immediately decided to write a new last will and testament. In his will, he outlined his wishes for what would happen to his money after his death. Nobel decided it was not too late to change. He was determined to use his great wealth to accomplish good in the world. The Nobel prizes, especially the peace prize, were his way of trying to make the world a little better. He left nearly all of his vast fortune to set up and maintain the Nobel prizes to honour people who do great things for humanity, and to encourage good will around the world. Nobel's one-page will was simple and straightforward. In it, he described the prizes he wanted to establish and what people must do to win them.

As a result of Nobel's life-changing experience, each year, five prestigious prizes are awarded to distinguished scientists, and men and women who promote peace around the world. Since 1901, prizes have been given in three scientific areas: chemistry, physics, and medicine or physiology. There is also a prize for literature. And of course, there is the best-known prize of them all, the Nobel Peace Prize. The winners receive a gold medal, a diploma, and some money. They receive their medals from the King of Sweden. A few years after writing this will, Alfred Nobel died at the age of 63. He had no way of knowing how famous the Nobel prizes would become. One thing is certain though: it's never too late to change. Just look at the life of Alfred Nobel. He could have been remembered as an arms dealer and destroyer. Instead, his name stands for good things like world peace, science and great literature.