Leonard James is a homeless man. For him, life is always hard.
He is always hungry. His shoes have holes in them. He needs a haircut. His clothes
are old and dirty.
“What I would do with one hundred dollars!” Leonard says. This is a game he likes to
play with himself to take his mind off things.
He is walking down the street on a Thursday night. The winter air is cold on his face.
“If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new socks,” he says. He continues to walk
down the street.
“If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hair cut,” he says. He continues to walk
down the street.
“If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new pants,” he says. He continues to walk
down the street.
“If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hamburger,” he says. His stomach
rumbles at the thought.
“If I had …..” Leonard looks down at the sidewalk. He cannot believe what he sees.
Someone has lost his wallet. Leonard picks it up. Inside are five twenty‐dollar bills.
“One hundred dollars!” Leonard says. He is very excited. “Now I can buy everything I
want!”
Then Leonard begins to think. “But this is not my money,” he says.
Leonard goes to the police station. He gives a police officer the wallet and money.
“Thank you,” says the police officer. “You are a very honest man.”
Leonard smiles. He turns around and begins to leave the police station.
“Hold on,” the police officer says. He reaches in his own pocket and gives Leonard
ten dollars. “Get yourself something to eat.”