That one guy who left a $50 bill in a library book

Honestly, back in 2018 I was browsing the free book shelf at the downtown public library in Austin. I picked up this old copy of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and a $50 bill fell out. There was a note tucked inside that said 'Pass this on to someone who needs it more than me.' I never found out who left it, but it stuck with me. I ended up giving it to a homeless guy sleeping near the library entrance the next day. He smiled and said 'God bless you, I can get a hot meal now.' That moment felt more valuable than the cash itself. Has anyone else found money hidden in something weird like a book or a park bench?

3 comments

3 Comments

max_brown23d ago

Respectfully, you got lucky. Most folks would just pocket it.

wyatt13523d ago

My buddy Dave found a twenty in a library copy of 'The Great Gatsby' once. It was at the used book sale outside the library in Nashville, and he almost threw it out with some old receipts. The book had a note too, saying 'Keep the change, kid.' He felt weird about it at first but then bought a coffee for the guy behind him in line and left the rest in the tip jar. Still talks about it every time we pass that library.

gray_morgan23d ago

That's a beautiful story. It's something special when a simple act of kindness can pass from one stranger to another like that.