Internet Sidewalk

Honesty

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So, you’ve heard a few stories about times when I was dishonest. Well, here are some examples of times when I was honest in situations where, if I had done otherwise, I would have had material gains. I don’t mean to be tooting my own horn. I just think it seems appropriate to share some of these stories too.

I don’t know the exact date of any of these examples. I do know, though, that all of them were during my six years of homelessness (Nov 2015 until Jan 2022).

These stories are much shorter than those in my last article. I suppose it’s because in these stories, I did the right and correct thing quickly, easily, without hesitation or internal conflict.

This first story is of a time when I went into the local library to use the restroom. While I was using the restroom, I was alone. As I was about to leave, I noticed an iPhone left on the counter by the sinks. On my way out I scooped it up, took it to the front desk, explained where I found it, and gave it to a library employee.

The next story is very similar. It was very late at night. I was hanging around outside a local restaurant after they’d closed for the day. I saw something sitting on the top of of a large planter near the street. I went over to investigate. I found the item to be a very new looking Android phone. I grabbed it, took it to a nearby open business, a hookah lounge, explained where I found it, and gave it to one of the employees.

This next story is also very similar. I was walking by a bowling alley behind the restaurant I mentioned previously. On my way past, I saw someone’s wallet sitting on a ledge near the front door. There were some people milling about the area, but they were all far enough away that I felt sure that if it belonged to any of them, they had surely forgotten about it. I figured that picking it up and wandering around asking people if it belonged to them might not be the best idea. So, picked it up and took it into the bowling alley. There, I found an employee, explained were I found it, and gave it to them.

This last story is different from the others. I had purchased some food items at a local Walmart and I was on my way somewhere else. Once I was outside the store, and probably an eighth of a mile away, I suddenly realized that I had not paid for a small box of strawberries that was among my purchases. I don’t remember how I managed to not pay for them, but I do remember what I did next. I went back to the store, walked in the front door and directly to the self-checkout section. I scanned the barcode and paid for the strawberries. I remember thinking that the employees might be a little confused if they observed me do this, but they didn’t seem to notice.

God bless you all!

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Recent books read…

• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in his adventure on Earth – by William Kotzwinkle
• Back to the Future – by George Gipe

Currently reading: WarGames – by David Bischoff

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