The Honest Driver

As I was enjoying a cup of coffee and free wifi, one of the coffe shop attendants arrived riding a taxi. I did not really take notice of her until a couple of minutes later when she panicked realizing that she left her phone on the cab.

“Consider it gone. What can you expect of people these days?” said one of her coworkers.

“Give him a ring. Offer him money just to return your phone.” suggested another.

She dialed her own cellphone number and was glad it was ringing. But no one picked it up at the other end. Then she sent a text message begging anyone who happens to find her phone to return it at the coffee shop.

“You’d be fortunate if he returns the phone.” said the guy who made the pessimistic comment earlier. “You’d better look for a new phone.”

“I bought that phone only a week ago, and I’ve reloaded it just this afternoon” said the hapless girl. “I’m sure he’ll return it.”

Then a cab parked in front of the shop. The driver stepped down with the phone in his hand. The girl jumped with joy. From a distance I saw her hand in something to the cabbie, which he initially refused. She forced it though and the driver accepted it with a smile.

When she went inside the coffee shop, she was ecstatic. But then, she worried if the P100 she gave to the driver was enough a reward. She narrated how the driver heard the phone ringing but did not answer it because he didn’t know how to operate the thing. He happened to be nearby without a passenger so he did not hesitate in making a u-turn to return the phone.

I am a witness to the event. There certainly are honest people in our country today. And we just have to continue in believing despite the fact that we’re somewhere on top of the list of most corrupt nations. Thank God for honest Filipinos!