Honesty Blog :: Sharing Honesty and Good Deed Stories » The Lost and Found $4 Million Dollar Violin

The Lost and Found $4 Million Dollar Violin - News Story #4

August 25th, 2008

A friend of mine forwarded me a story about a lost violin that later was found and returned by an honest taxi cab driver. You may be wondering why someone would be traveling with a violin, but you might be even more puzzled to learn the violin is valued at over $4 million dollars. Yes, you read that correct – it’s a Stradivarius . I’ll be honest, I had no idea such a violin existed before reading this story by Rich G. Jones from the New York Times.

The Grammy-nominated Philippe Quint was on his way back from a concert in Dallas and simply forgot the violin in the cab. On top of the fact that it was a $4 million dollar violin, it had been loaned to him by two benefactors. The part of this story that I find the most remarkable is what Philippe thanked the honest taxi cab driver.

In addition to a generous tip, he decided to thank the driver Mohammed Khalil by treating him and his colleagues to a private concert. It may have not been Carnegie Hall, but the makeshift parking lot where Philippe performed for them was soon filled with beautiful music accompanied by spontaneous applause, clapping, whistling and dancing.

One of the drivers commented, “If one cabby does something good, we feel like we all do something good”. Especially in this occasion, Mr. Khalil and his colleagues all had the chance to enjoy Phillip’s thank-you concert. It was a memorable occasion that for year to come they will be talking about all thanks to the honesty of one driver and the very generous gratitude shown by Philippe Quint.

I am certain many drivers never will get this kind attention or even a Medallion by the City of Newark. Like Mr. Khalil said, “Everything we find is valuable to someone”. I would add that every act of honesty no matter how small it might seem can make a great difference in a person’s life.