On August 9, in the bustling city of New York, a curious incident unfolded that reflected the power of honesty. Merrie Harris, a female director of an advertising company, encountered a beggar while walking on the street. She had no change to give, so, in an unusual act of kindness, she handed him her credit card to make his purchases. The beggar left with Merrie’s credit card, triggering a wave of skepticism among the bystanders. Many were certain he would exploit the opportunity, perhaps even refusing to return the card.
A test of trust
Some intrigued individuals, expecting a tragic conclusion to Merrie’s rash decision, chose to wait with her. However, after a while, the beggar returned, carrying essentials such as deodorant, body wash, bottled water, and cigarettes. He also presented the receipt. To everyone’s surprise, the beggar had spent only US$25. He calmly handed the credit card back to Merrie and thanked her. It was then Merrie learned his name was Jay Valentine.
The crowd was taken aback. Mr. Valentine had neither indulged in a shopping spree nor absconded with the card; instead, he returned it to Merrie, his benefactor. Merrie revealed she often saw the man begging and had instinctively believed him to be honest. His actions proved her right.
Unforeseen rewards and new opportunities
Merrie and a friend visited the New York Post and shared the unusual incident. Moved by Mr. Valentine’s integrity, the newspaper immediately reported on the story. It sparked a significant public response, with numerous readers reaching out to express their willingness to help Mr. Valentine. A businessman from Texas, inspired by the story, wired US$5,000 to Valentine the very next day as a reward for his honesty.
But the surprises didn’t end there. A few days later, Valentine received a call from an airline company in Wisconsin. They offered him a job as a flight attendant and asked him to sign a contract as soon as possible.
The power of honesty
Immersed in immense joy, Mr. Valentine reflected: “My mother taught me from a young age to be honest and trustworthy. Even if I ended up penniless on the street, I could not afford to lose my integrity. The help I have received from so many people is because I always believed that honest people will eventually reap their rewards!”
This story, rooted in faith and honesty, echoes across the world, reiterating the age-old wisdom: Honesty indeed is the best policy.
Translated by Elaine
