There is an array of stories that reflect human values such as honesty, but the one we offer today is very special. After buying a couch for the small fee of $ 20, three American students discovered that this piece of flea was much more valuable because it contained $ 40,000. What will they do with this money?
The story of these three American students from New Paltz in New York has made the buzz on the internet lately and has even been relayed by some American television channels like CBS.
It all started when Reese Werkhoven, Cally Guasti and Lara Russo, three roommates and students, bought an old sofa for $ 20.
Unaware of what he could hold, the students placed him in a corner at home and it was only after two months that they made an incredible discovery.
The three roommates said they were sitting on the sofa, watching a movie, when they felt, something weird in the sofa cushions. Curious as to what could cause this embarrassment, one of them slipped his hand under the side of the sofa and removed a plastic envelope containing silver. A total of $ 700, in ticket of $ 20, according to roommates.
Reese Werkhoven, who withdrew this envelope, said he was surprised by the discovery. And to add: "The biggest amount I ever found in a sofa was 50 cent, honestly I would be very happy if I only found $ 5."
The three roommates subsequently began to scrutinize the sofa and eventually found several other envelopes. They ended up with a total of $ 40,000!
The discovery was a big surprise for these students, who were already beginning to imagine what they could do with this money: vacation, a new car or pay student loans.
But before they had time to concretize their reveries, Lara Russo found a name on one of the envelopes found.
"We had a long discussion about this money and finally we agreed to give it to the person to whom it belongs ... it's his money, we did not win it," says Laura Russo.
Each of the three roommates called his parents for advice. They all said the same thing: do not spend the money and find the person whose name is on the envelope to know if the money actually belongs to him or not.
One day later, the students were able to find the phone number of the person in question and contacted him. As soon as they mentioned buying an old sofa, the lady immediately informed them that she had left money in it. They were therefore sure the money belonged to him and promised to return it to him.
When the three students went to her home, she explained to them that she kept all her savings and those of her late husband on this couch for 30 years.
After the death of her husband, he had to perform surgery and that's where his daughter got rid of the old sofa, and replaced it with a new bed. Believing she did well, she did not know she had thrown a large sum of money.
For their noble gesture, the old lady offered the 3 students $ 1000! They said they were very happy to help him and wondered what would have happened if the money had fallen into the wrong hands!
This story is a real example of honesty and altruism. Always students, these 3 roommates, could take the money they definitely need, but chose not to.
This money was not theirs, and they did not deserve it. It was the property of another person who worked hard to have it and it was restored to him. They have shown good faith and integrity and are undoubtedly a model to follow!
And what would you have done if you were in their place?