Finders keepers losers weepers!
By raydene
@raydene (9871)
United States
June 8, 2007 9:55am CST
Years ago while jogging I sat on a rock beside the road to rest in the shade.By my foot was a marlboro box cigg package.It had a not slide inside the celophane and being the curious type I picked it up.The note said 'Save This One'
I opened the flip top and pulled the foil out and out dropped 3 one hundred dollar bills folded very flat.What a shock.
I stuck pack,bills,note and all in my fanny pack(this was years ago when fanny packs were in)and headed for the police station.I went in , gave a statement and handed over the loot!
I really didn't think any more about it because I was sure who ever lost it would be looking for it.
About a month and a half later I got a call from the dispatcher for the police asking me to come in to see such and such officer.
I don't mind telling you I was a bit nervous wondering what it could be about.
I went that day to see the officer.
He handed me a large manila envelope, asked to to look inside, then to sign the statement on the outside .
The marlboro box,money,note and all was in ht e envelope.It was mine to keep and I got a special certificate for handing it in and being honest.
Had I spent the money when I found it I would always wonder if someone was cold or hungry because of my greed but this way I got to spend it guiltfree .
Do you believe in 'Finders keepers losers weeper'?
12 people like this
23 responses
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
8 Jun 07
I don't believe in finders keepers over a certain amount. for the, the amount is probably $20. I know I've turned in that much. I've found a few $5s and kept them. I don't know how I'd feel about a $10 because I haven't found one of those.
3 people like this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
8 Jun 07
Tis a special thing you did and all for the better. It was reinforced for you. Cannot guarantee that it will again however I am glad it worked out. I too think we should have a care about what our actions could do to another. This came out very well.
3 people like this
@patgalca (18366)
• Orangeville, Ontario
8 Jun 07
As another poster said, karma played a role here. You were very good to turn it in to the police. I doubt I would have done so. The person who lost the money probably didn't go to the police about it because they may have been subjected to some questioning they weren't willing to answer. I'm not saying the money is dirty money but what was the note about?
Are you a writer? This would actually make a great plot to a story. Mind if I borrow it?
3 people like this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
8 Jun 07
If you believe in miracle, then I think the money was really meant for you. It was because you are honest and truthful. In this days and age, its very rare to see some honesty anymore. People tend to resort to greediness that left no room to be conscientious. I admire your integrity, raydene.
3 people like this
@raydene (9871)
• United States
8 Jun 07
The world is filled with 'get them before they get me' people.Alot of people are dishonest so assume that everyone is also..in their mind they justify the wrong they do by telling themself that the other person would have done the same if they had the chance.
2 people like this
@mummymo (23706)
•
8 Jun 07
hey Mom - you know I think you did the right thing and as you say , you would never have known if the money had been badly needed if you hadn't handed it in! Getting to keep the money etc was a bonus but I think the real reward is doing the right thing in the first place! Good for you and I truly believe I would have done the same! xxx
3 people like this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
22 Jun 07
I'm a bit puzzled you started this under 'dogs' but no matter. I have from time to time found objects and money but not in such mysterious situations as yours. I have handed them in except on the odd occasion where I have found just notes or coins since it seems there is no way to trace or demonstrate ownership of these.
all the best urban
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
10 Jun 07
Perhaps you unwitting participated in a trick to test on honesty conducted by some organisations :P
You are indeed lucky that the police is honest enough. I remembered picking up a wallet with few hundred dollars in it at a shopping mall. I handed it to the customer service counter. My colleague thought I was stupid enough to return it back. She went to check with the customer service. They claimed that no wallet was
found! I learnt my lesson. I decided not to pick up any wallets as I believe in Finders Keeper Losers weepers!
@DesigningLife (903)
• United States
26 Jun 07
AHA, I was wondering where in the heck I lost that pack of smokes!! It has been driving me crazy wondering about it for years.
Soooo, how much interest has accrued over the past several years anyway?
Teasing you of course...I am glad to hear you got to keep the money and use it guilt-free...good for you!
Smiles, DL
@Hart57 (359)
• United States
8 Jun 07
What a great story! I think you absolutely did the right thing. I've never been faced with a similar situation, but I hope I would do what you did. Had you kept the money, you might have been racked with guilt. You ended up with a clear conscious and got to eventually keep the money as well.
2 people like this
@steve9737 (918)
• Colombia
11 Jul 07
I would like to find something like that, I think you do well I think it is a strange story but with a good end.
@1qazxsw2 (512)
• Singapore
8 Jun 07
Bravo to an honest guy..You did the right stuff from beginning and not succumb to greed...bad karma will befall a person if he succumbs to greed..ie if he takes someone stuff now illegally, the next time he will lose his stuffs to somebody.....
3 people like this
@weemam (13372)
•
9 Jun 07
I am proud of you sis , I would have done the same , I would have felt too guilty to spend it ,
My youngest granddaughter and my youngest grandson have both found money at different times , they were both small amounts £1 and £5 I think thats about 60 cents and $3and they too got them back after a certain time , 3 months I think it was , they were both very proud to tell us about it ,
The granddaughter was my eldest sons and the grandson my second sons , nice to be honest isn't it ? xx
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
9 Jun 07
i admire you for your honesty. the good things we do will come back to us all the time. it just won't happen at once or the same day... but it will in it's perfect time. so, i am happy for you. you even got a certificate for being honest... the best thing for you! you deserve it!
i always believe that whatever i found anywhere isn't mine to keep. whenever i found something, i try to give it to the security guard if there is a guard around. if not, i'll submit it to someone i can give it to. it feels always good to do the right thing all the time.
... anne
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
9 Jun 07
No I don't I would have done the same as you and handed it in, as that is a lot of Money
I wish everyone was that honest as my Purse has still not turned up and I am now short of money as the Money that was in my Purse was for Bills
So you see that is what happens when People don't care and you cared
@Lovett (464)
• India
9 Jun 07
u r a good person. I really appreciate what u did .I dont believe in Finders Keepers , losers Weepers, cause Iwould think the same way you did. That the other person would be sad.I have a friend who left her mobile phone in a taxi, n went home, when she realised her folly. Then she started messaging very emotional messages to her phone from her dad's phone. The person who had it was so emotionally moved that he called her from her cellphone, n then told her how moved he was , n would return the mobile phone by courier to her house if she gave him her address, but would not come in front of her. She agreed, n then one day, got her phone by courier. She prayed for that person. I was in shock when I heard this , cause now a days you hear so many cases of mobile phone robbery, that u need to insure your mobile. So May God bless you, n this was a reward from God , not from the Cops!!!
@psyche49f (2502)
• Philippines
9 Jun 07
Congratulatins for being an honest finder...I don't believe in finders keepers, unless...like in your case, since no one seemed to be interested to claim the stuff, the lost and found things truly belonged to you. It's amazing that the policemen have this policy of turning over lost things to the finder if they are not claimed within a reasonable period. Bless you for having a generous heart...I believe in the saying, "the more you give, the more you receive..." You're indeed blessed...
