Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan — One Talent, One Companion

Unable to see, hear, or speak, Helen Keller went on to graduate from university and travel the world as author and activist — "the miracle worker's" miracle. But this story has two protagonists. Anne Sullivan, herself burdened by a harsh childhood and impaired sight, faced the raging seven-year-old Helen.

The famous scene at the well — water running over one hand while "W-A-T-E-R" was spelled endlessly into the other, until the universe of things having names broke open — may be education's most beautiful moment.

And her companionship did not end that day: she sat beside Helen through every university lecture, spelling them into her palm — forty-nine years in all, one life walking beside one talent. Helen's attributed words: "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even heard — they must be felt with the heart."

The miracle did not happen alone. Beside every story of talent stands a story of a companion. Whose Sullivan are you?

What do you work for?