Something unusual happened yesterday. Well, perhaps a more specific way to say it is that something that doesn’t usually happen to me happened.

I found some money lying on the street as I was on my way back home. That never happened to me. Usually, I’m the one who carelessly losses money everywhere so picking up money was a first for me.

At first I passed it, my mind not registering what I saw. As soon as it registered, I doubled back and picked it up. I looked around to see if anyone was looking for it, or if I could inquire on someone who would know what to do with it better, like a policeman, guard, or whatever. Being it a public place where numerous people pass unnoticed each day, I saw no one who would be of help or who could pinpoint me on locating the owner of the money. No one even saw me pick it up.

There was no loss and found section, as this wasn’t the mall or school or some establishment; it was a public street. And there was no way to identify who the money belonged to, as I found it as is, with no wallet or ID to accompany it. So I was left with the decision: what do I do with it?

As I had to real answer to the problem, I just started on my way home again, with the money on my left hand. I didn’t put it in my pocket; I would have felt uneasy. I didn’t even grip it firmly in my hand; I was holding it loosely, feeling that otherwise I would be doing something wrong.

A few meters before I reach the house I decided that there really was nothing I could do to find whom the money belonged to. There was no identification whatsoever and no witnesses or claimants to the money. The money really wasn’t that big. Converted to US dollars, it would have amounted a little over 2 dollars.

At first I was tempted to spend it myself; to buy new threads for my cross stitch pattern or to buy something for my little brother as a treat. Later I decided to just give it to my dad since he needed it more than me. He’s done a for us and I thought he deserved a treat for all his hard work.

So is my conscience clear because of that? Not entirely. We’ve been taught since early on that taking what is not ours is wrong. But on that instance I didn’t see any other alternative. I could try and go to the police and report lost money, but what can the police do without any identification of the money’s owner? Nothing. Then we’ll just be in the same quandary.

I still feel a bit guilty, though.

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