Todd drove Gloria to the rest home, promising to visit her soon. But that “soon” came only once a year during the holidays. He just wanted to get rid of her and take her house. Disheartened, Gloria slowly started living with the ugly truth for the past five years. She was saddened by how greed for money had turned Todd into a selfish man, and soon, her health deteriorated. Treatment did not help, and sadly, Gloria passed away two weeks later.

But before breathing her last, she had pulled one last trick on her grandson that would go on to teach him an unforgettable lesson about how greed and inhumanity reap nothing but disappointment.

Gloria’s lawyer knocked on Todd’s door the day after the funeral and offered him an envelope.

“What is this?” Todd exclaimed.

“It’s from your grandmother,” the lawyer replied, his expression unreadable. Todd snatched the envelope, eager to see what Gloria had left him. He imagined it was the deed to her house, the one thing he had wanted for so long.
He tore open the envelope and found a letter in Gloria’s delicate handwriting:
“My dearest Todd,

If you are reading this, it means I have passed on. I know you always wanted the house, and I’m sure you expected to inherit it. But as much as it pains me to say this, I could not leave it to you. Your actions over the past five years have shown me a side of you I wish I had never seen.

I remember the day you drove me to the rest home. I hoped that you would visit me often, but instead, I saw you only during the holidays. Your neglect and greed broke my heart, and I could not, in good conscience, reward such behavior.

However, I have left you something far more valuable than the house. I have left you a lesson. The house and all my assets have been donated to a charity that helps those who are truly in need and have no one to care for them, much like I felt these past few years.

I hope this teaches you that greed and selfishness lead to emptiness and regret. Reflect on your actions and change your ways, Todd. It’s not too late to become the person I once believed you could be.

With all my love,
Grandma Gloria”

Todd’s face turned pale as he read the letter. He felt a pang of guilt and shame wash over him. All these years, he had only thought about himself, neglecting the woman who had raised him with so much love and care.

The lawyer spoke up, breaking Todd’s thoughts. “There’s one more thing,” he said, handing Todd another envelope. “Your grandmother asked me to give this to you as well.”

Todd opened the second envelope, expecting another lecture. Instead, he found a check for a modest sum of money and another note:

“Todd, use this money wisely. It’s not much, but it’s enough to start making amends. Help others, as I once helped you. Find the joy in giving and you will find a happiness that no amount of money can buy.

– Grandma Gloria”

Tears streamed down Todd’s face as he held the check. He realized that his grandmother had given him a second chance, a chance to redeem himself and change his ways.

Overwhelmed by remorse and a newfound determination, Todd decided to honor Gloria’s memory by following her advice. He started volunteering at the same charity that now owned his grandmother’s house, helping those in need and finding a sense of fulfillment that he had never experienced before.

Through his work, Todd learned the true value of compassion and selflessness. Gloria’s final lesson had not only taught him about the consequences of greed but also about the redemptive power of kindness and love.