I got my private when I was 17 and my Dad taught me. When the big day came for my oral and checkride, he drove me to the airport and he waited and I passed and I was beaming. As he was a pilot also (USAF), on the way home he said some nice things and commended me on my accomplishment. He concluded his praise by saying, "But just remember this son. You can teach a damned monkey how to fly." I couldn't believe he said that, but later I realized he did so to keep my ego in check and I'm sure I needed that at the time. Years and years and thousands and thousands of hours later, I always remembered that at times when I was just so bored I could cry.