What would you do if you found a great treasure? This story is about a man named Reb Shmuel. One day, the Queen of Rome lost her precious necklace. It had a priceless gem on it, and she was very sad because she loved it so much. She sent all her servants into the streets of Rome to search for it. They even hung up a big sign: “Whoever returns the necklace within 30 days will be rewarded with great treasure. But if you’re caught with it and you don’t return it — you will be sentenced to death!”
A few days later, Reb Shmuel was walking down a small alley behind the marketplace. Suddenly, he saw something shiny on the ground. He bent down, brushed away the dust, and gasped – he had found the Queen’s gem necklace! In his whole life, he had never seen something so beautiful. Right away, he knew this must be the Queen’s lost treasure.
But now he had a problem. “If I return it now,” he thought, “people will say I just want the reward. But really, I want to return it because it’s the mitzvah of hashavas aveidah—returning lost objects—not for a prize. Still, if I keep it, and they find it on me, I could be put to death!” Reb Shmuel thought hard. In the end, he decided that a Yid must do what’s right, no matter what.
He had a plan. Carefully, he hid the necklace and waited.
One day after the 30 days had passed, Reb Shmuel hurried to the palace. At the gates he said, “Guard, please let me see the Queen!” “Who are you?” the guard asked. Reb Shmuel opened his coat and showed the necklace. “Look—I found the Queen’s gem!” The guards quickly brought him to the Queen’s private chamber. She was overjoyed to see her precious necklace again! But then she frowned. “You know,” she said, “it’s past 30 days. You no longer get the reward. In fact, I could even have you punished for not returning it sooner!”
Reb Shmuel replied, “Your Majesty, you are right—I did find it earlier. But I wanted to show everyone that for us Yidden, the greatest reward is doing what’s right. My biggest privilege is returning it to its true owner.” The Queen was amazed. She sent him away with honor and respect. Soon, all of Rome was talking about the great Jew who gave up a royal reward just to do the right thing.
Many times in life, we do the right thing because we hope for a reward. But from Reb Shmuel, we can learn that the greatest reward is making a Kiddush Hashem, by doing what’s right, even when no prize is waiting. And who knows? You might just inspire the whole world!
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 49.