A wealthy man on his deathbed is trying to decide where to leave his money so he tests his grandson by giving him $1 million in fake cash.Alex Carstairs was a wealthy man, but no amount of money in the world could buy him health. He was coming to the end of his life and he knew it. Alex’s son, David, was already running the family business and doing it well, and the bulk of the estate would go to him. However, Alex wanted to leave his grandson, Arthur, some of his money!
The boy was now twenty-one, in college, and doing well, but Alex was still worried. He’d seen many of his wealthy friends’ children and grandchildren ruined by too much money too soon, and he didn’t want that to happen to Arthur. That was when Alex had a brilliant idea. He’d give the boy one million dollars in cash and see what he did with it.
Nothing is more important than the lives of those we love. What Arthur wouldn’t know was that the money was fake… Of course, everyone in the city knew that Arthur was Alex’s grandson and that he’d make good on any debts the boy ran up. Alex called Arthur and asked him to come and visit him. At first, Arthur tried to beg off visiting his grandfather, telling him he had a lot of work to do, but when Alex hinted at a gift, he agreed to see him immediately.
When Arthur arrived at Alex’s house, he was led into his grandfather’s room. Alex was lying on his bed, surrounded by beeping machines and looking very pale and weak.” Arthur,” he said. “My boy, I’m so glad to see you! I’ve missed you.” “Hi Grandpa,” Arthur said, looking uncomfortable. “I’ve been so busy, cramming for exams…” “Of course,” Alex said gently. “I asked you to come because I have something to tell you. As you know, I’m very ill and I’m putting my affairs in order. I want you to be independent, Arthur, so I’m giving you one million.”
Arthur’s chin dropped. “ONE MILLION?” he gasped. “You mean dollars?”Arthur jumped forward immediately and opened the case with trembling hands. He stared at the neat bundles of money as if hypnotized. “It’s really mine?” he asked, awed. “All yours, Arthur,” Alex said. “To use as you see fit. But I hope that you will always do as I have done and remember those less fortunate than yourself.”
Alex lay back on his bed after Arthur left and wondered what his grandson was thinking, and what he would do. He prayed he would not be disappointed, but he had seen a flash of greed in Arthur’s eyes… Two days later, Alex put the second part of his plan into action and called Arthur. “Arthur,” he said excitedly. “I’ve just had wonderful news. There is a doctor in Switzerland who is doing experimental surgery on cases like mine.
“He says he can operate on me, but I have to leave tonight on the jet and I need $1 million. It takes days to get that amount of cash out of the bank so I was wondering if you’d lend me your money!” There was a long silence on the other side, then Arthur replied, “I’m so sorry, Grandpa! I wish you’d called earlier! I left the money as an anonymous donation at a worthy charity — for homeless teens.
I considered what you stated regarding the less fortunate… I wish I’d known about the surgery!” “It’s all right, Arthur,” Alex said. “I’ll contact your father and see if he can help me acquire the money immediately…” Alex asked David and Arthur to his residence three days later. “Grandpa, I thought you were going in for emergency surgery!” Arthur said.
“What kind of surgery?” David inquired, shocked. “Don’t worry, David,” Arthur responded. “There will be no surgery, but there are some things we need to discuss.” Please take a seat… I summoned your kid a few days ago and handed him a $1 million case. Then I called him to ask for the money back for emergency surgery, but he said he’d given it to charity.”
David was taken aback. “You gave Arthur a million dollars in cash, and he gave it away?” ” Indeed!” Alex said, his voice tinged with cynicism. I was extremely proud of him for the next two hours, until I received a call from the Maserati store. “The manager told me Arthur came there, intending to buy his most costly car with a case of counterfeit money… I told him to pretend to accept it and to have the car delivered tomorrow.”
Arthur sprang to his feet, his cheeks as bright as a beet. “It’s not what you think, Grandpa…” “Actually, Arthur,” Alex lamented. “That is EXACTLY what I believe. I’m donating the $2 million that would have gone to you to charity since you don’t deserve it.” As for you, David, I’ve made a provision in my will that the money and the firm would only transfer to Arthur if he proves himself worthy after your death.” Arthur was appalled, realizing that his selfishness and dishonesty had ruined his own possibilities.