Jimmy Fallon took a break from beatboxing with celebs and weighing pros and cons on Monday night to say goodbye to David Letterman, whose last show will be Wednesday. Fallon paid tribute by telling stories about how his eighth-grade teacher had predicted he would take over for Letterman, and recalled his last appearance on “The Late Show.”

“I, like every kid who grew up watching him, will miss him,” said Fallon.

Perhaps the most emotional moment came when “The Tonight Show” host read Letterman’s words following the Sept. 11 attacks. He even printed it out to make sure he got it right:

There’s only one requirement for any of us, and that is to be courageous — because courage, as you might know, defines all other human behavior.

“David Letterman is courageous,” said Fallon. “Have a nice retirement, Dave.”

“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET on NBC.

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