Life lessons from a child.
In a world where bad news is the norm, it’s refreshing to be reminded there’s still some good. It’s even more refreshing when we get that reminder due to the actions of a 10-year-old. 10-year-old Foster Dudley of Alabama, to be precise.
A Trip to Target
For Foster, on Friday, January 3, it was just another trip to the local Hoover, Ala. Target with his mom, Parisa. Little did he know this day would be a chance to prove his integrity, prove that he had learned—and taken to heart—some of the lessons his mother had taught him.
Foster and his mom were near the pharmacy section of the store when he spotted an envelope lying on the floor. The envelope was blank, but it wasn’t empty.
The Find
The envelope contained 9 $100 bills. Foster, like most of us would, had an initial moment of glee. He’d stumbled upon a treasure. His first words to his mom after the find come as no surprise.
“Mom, can we keep it?”
But Parisa Dudley urged him to take a moment and think.
“I looked at him and asked him to put himself in her shoes. What if he had lost that much money. How would he feel?”
And this young boy had the right answer. Unfortunately, an answer many people today wouldn’t consider. Frankly, for a lot of people, doing the right thing wouldn’t even enter their minds. His answer?
“Mom, we have to find her and give it back.”
The Search
It took 2 days to hunt down and contact the owner of the $900. Jeremy Walker, the store’s manager eventually turned to the Hoover Police Department for help. And fortunately, they had a clue that would help them aid in the search.
Along with the cash, the envelope included a credit union receipt that had a name and signature on it. Plus the evidence that the $900 withdrawal was significant, leaving less than that in the account.
This furthered Foster’s desire to return the money.
“It would’ve been cool to keep, but if I did keep it that wouldn’t be good for the lady,” he said.
Before turning to the store manager for help, Foster and his mom went to the bank to return the money but found it closed. However, armed with help, Verdina Ball was found and contacted.
The Money is Returned
The next Sunday the Dudleys met Ball at the same Target to return her money. And Foster Dudley is proud of himself for doing the right thing.
“It was awesome to give her the money back,” he said. “I felt very proud of myself and happy that I gave it back and I felt very powerful after I did it.”
And while he is proud of himself, Target showed their appreciation of his good character as well. To say thanks, they gifted him with a $100 gift card. Who says honesty doesn’t pay?
As for Parisa Dudley, she’s glad her son had this learning experience. As she put it,
“Foster, my 10-year-old son, learned a great lesson in integrity and empathy this past weekend.”
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