Aside from the truths about the human condition and how Forrest was able to overcome his difficulties with his "realistic" way of looking at the world, I find the way the author weaves in Forrest into the historical events of the times ingenious. And particularly serendipitous is Forrest's remark on Lieut. Dan's decision to invest their funds in a fruit company --> Apple Computer, which at the time the movie was released was going for around $6 (split adjusted), and is currently around $670 (as well as getting to be the biggest US corp by value). Forrest can afford to cut all the lawns in America for free now!