The Black Book

Angel sighed as she walked down the street. Her green eyes showed her exhaustion and her long black hair was soaked through. It had already been a long day for her and now she was stuck in the rain. She couldn't help but wish that there was something she could do to catch a break and get time off from her job.

"I worked eight hours at the hospital. I'm dead on my feet and now I have to walk home in the rain. Two blocks has never felt so long before" she mumbled to herself.

Suddenly, she tripped over something. At first, she wondered if it was just due to her being tired, but when she looked down, she saw a little black notebook lying there. She was sure that it had just been placed there, given that--despite the pouring rain--it was dry. She sighed and picked up the book and pocketed it, wondering where it had come from and who had dropped it. She looked around, but she was alone on the street.

Angel picked up her pace, motivated to get home and discover what this book was and who it belonged to. The normally twenty minute walk only took her ten minutes. When she arrived home, she took a hot shower and blow dried her hair. Then she put on dry pyjamas. She sat down at the table and opened the little black book.

She was stunned when she discovered that, tucked inside the little notebook, was a cheque for $20,000. She wasn't entirely sure what to make of it, so she flipped through the book as though looking for an explanation or a name. At the very back of the book, she found a note that read as follows:

To Whomever Finds This Book,

I am a very wealthy man, but I have no family to leave my wealth to. A friend suggested that I give away my money before my time comes. Please use this $20,000 however you see fit and take care. I hope that this small act of kindness helps you in some way.

There was no signature on the note. Angel was completely stunned. Part of her wondered if this was some sort of trick or prank. It seemed way too good to be true. She looked at the cheque more closely. She couldn't make out the signature, however. What was more was that everything on the cheque was filled in except the person that the money was supposed to be paid to.

Angel stared at it for a long time, wondering if she should take the money. Finally, she decided that it was not a good idea to look a gift horse in the mouth and take the money. Her feelings of apprehension were quickly replaced by those of gratitude. Not only that, but her faith in humanity was restored somewhat. She said a silent thank you to whoever had dropped the book on the street that night. This one act of kindness had changed her life for the better.