Have you ever bought something second-hand and found a hidden treasure inside? That’s exactly what happened to three college friends who bought an old couch from a market for their dorm room. Little did they know that this purchase would change their lives forever.
One of the friends, Werkhoven, a geology major at SUNY New Paltz, shared their surprise, “We tore them out and were completely terrified when we saw an inch and a half of $100 bills.” Can you imagine the shock?
Excitement quickly spread among the friends as they opened more envelopes and counted the cash. The total amount? An unbelievable $41,000! They couldn’t believe their luck.
In their excitement, they started dreaming about what they could do with the money. Reese, one of the friends, even considered buying a car for his mom and a boat. But their joy soon turned into moral uncertainty when they noticed one of the envelopes had a woman’s name on it.
Realizing that the money didn’t belong to them, the friends knew they had to do the right thing. They sought the help of their parents in finding the true owner of the cash. To avoid any potential theft, they kept their discovery a secret.
After some investigation, Werkhoven’s mother found the woman’s contact details in a phone book. Werkhoven called her and said, “I found something that I think is yours.” The woman was astonished and exclaimed, “Oh my God, I left a lot of money in that couch!”
As the story unfolded, it was revealed that the elderly woman’s late husband had given her the money for security. She had hidden it in the couch because she had nowhere else to keep it. For thirty years, her savings remained tucked away inside the old furniture. Recently, she had undergone surgery and spent time in a rehabilitation facility.
During her absence, her children purchased a new couch on the advice of her doctors to help with her back pain. The old couch was donated to the Salvation Army, and that’s how it ended up in the hands of the college friends.
Despite their initial excitement about the money, the students didn’t hesitate to return it to its rightful owner. They felt a strong sense of moral obligation and had no regrets about doing the right thing. In fact, they planned to meet the woman and her family for a meal to share their incredible experience.
In a heartwarming gesture, the woman expressed her gratitude by gifting $1,000 to the three friends. It was a small token of appreciation for their honesty and integrity.
Reflecting on this remarkable experience, Werkhoven said, “I think it’s just that anyone can do good if they will themselves to it.” His friend Russo added, “I believe everything went as it should, and to be honest, I don’t really think about it that much.”
The story of these young students and their noble actions serves as a reminder that honesty and kindness can have a profound impact on others’ lives. So, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, what would you do? Remember, doing the right thing is always worth it.
Please share this incredible story with your family and friends and inspire others with the power of integrity and compassion!
