Anonymous Sixth Grader Leaves Inspirational Note On Doorstep

An anonymous 6th grader may be crafting his or her own version of "Pay it Forward" by dropping off plants laden with inspirational messages on Ridgewood door steps.

Bill Behan came home this past weekend to find this message atop a small plant on his front porch on Bogert Avenue:

"Hi, I am a 6th grade student doing a service project. My project is to show people that they can conquer any challenge they face even it's big or small. Now, I would like you to take this plant and plant it somewhere safe and to think about how that plant started from a seed and faced challenges but will grow up into a beautiful plant, looking different and unique in its own way – making the world a better place plant by plant. It's true about humans too, starting small but turning into something amazing as you are. You have the ability to make the impossible possible and to step out of the crowd to change the world. Enjoy the day!"

The Bogert Ave. homeowner said he was "impressed with the inspiring message from a young student."

Though the student hasn't been identified, several folks have said it's a required service project undertaken by a Benjamin Franklin Middle School student.

[Editor's note: This article was last updated 3:30 p.m. Thursday.]