What Should You Do If You Find an Envelope Full of Money?

     Imagine for a moment that you are a college student.  It is a beautiful sunny Wednesday, and you feel like a change of scenery.  You decide to take a walk off campus.  You walk along, enjoying the sights and sounds of your new environment.  Then, out of the corner of your eye, you see something on the ground.  You look down and see an envelope.  It is labeled with a person's name and address. You pick it up, open it, and discover that it is full of money.  What should you do?  Should you keep it, or return it to its owner?

     On the one hand, you might be tempted to keep it.  You have bills that you  need to pay and dreams that you want to see come true.  The money you found could solve your problems and help you to make your dreams a reality.

     On the other hand, however, is the truth.  The money is not yours.  The envelope clearly shows that it belongs to someone else--someone else with bills and dreams.

     Do yourself a favor, and return the money.  If you keep it, your conscience will bother you, constantly reminding you of what you should have done.  If you return it, on the other hand, you will feel better.  You will then be able to concentrate on your work.  If you are writing a research paper, for example, you will be able to focus on the content of the paper and get your citations properly formatted.  You will then be able to get a good grade.  If you are writing an article for publication, you will be able to focus on writing a great article--one that will draw many readers and help you earn money.  When the owner of the money gets his money back, he will be very happy and relieved.  You will make his day, and you may even make a new friend.