Man Buys Abandoned Farm for Last $1K, Dollars Fall on His Head as He Checks Attic — Story of the Day
When a man purchased a farm for just a thousand dollars, he had no idea the seller was trying to swindle him. Before long, he uncovered a bag stuffed with dollar bills in the attic and found a letter that turned his life upside down.
Sebastian, a 71-year-old farmer, was having a typical day on his land, harvesting corn he had planted months prior. With the sun beating down on him, he used a worn straw basket to collect the ripe corn, tossing the ears in one by one, hoping to sell them at the market for a modest profit.
Sebastian had spent his entire life in the modest house adjacent to the farm. He had married a woman he adored and later raised their three sons—James, Fred, and Kyle—with her until her untimely death. She had passed away in her sleep, leaving Sebastian heartbroken but fiercely protective of their children.
As the years passed and his sons grew older, Sebastian gave them his life savings. They each bought homes and moved out, leaving him to live alone. Yet, Sebastian didn’t resent their absence; he kept himself busy with his daily tasks. His routine was simple: he rose early, exercised, had breakfast, worked tirelessly on the farm, came home exhausted, ate dinner, and promptly went to bed. This busy schedule left him little time to dwell on loneliness.
One day, while working in the fields, Sebastian suddenly felt faint. His vision blurred, and he collapsed to the ground. Thankfully, his neighbor was nearby and rushed to help.
“Sebastian! Are you alright?” the neighbor called out, his voice trembling. Sebastian didn’t respond. A few minutes later, he regained consciousness and found himself in his neighbor’s home.
“What happened? Why am I here?” Sebastian asked, puzzled.
“You fainted,” the neighbor explained. “Don’t you remember?”
“No, I don’t,” Sebastian replied, frowning. Realizing he had been feeling dizzy for some time, he decided to visit the doctor. Though he assumed his exhaustion was to blame, the doctor’s diagnosis shocked him.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Sebastian,” the doctor said after reviewing the tests. “Your cancer has advanced to a stage where treatment is no longer effective. You should spend your remaining weeks with your loved ones.”
Sebastian passed away soon after, alone, with none of his sons by his side. He had ignored the symptoms for months, leaving the doctors helpless to reverse the damage. Still, his mind wasn’t on his health but on his beloved farm.
“Who will take care of it after I’m gone?” he wondered. Determined to inform his sons, he called each of them to share his grim news. Despite their initial sympathy, none of his sons offered to help with the farm or spend time with him. Instead, they encouraged him to hire someone to assist him.
“Dad, we’ve arranged for a nurse to care for you,” James said after learning his father was bedridden. “She’ll handle everything.”
“I don’t need a nurse,” Sebastian replied weakly. “Why don’t you or your brothers come instead?”
“We’re busy with our own families, Dad,” James responded.
Sebastian was heartbroken. He had hoped to see his sons one last time, but they were unwilling to visit. As his health deteriorated, he felt lonelier than ever.
Before passing away, Sebastian called his sons one last time to discuss his will. “Take care of the farm,” he urged. “It has been in our family for generations. It’s fertile land that will reward you if you work hard.”
But after his funeral, which the brothers arranged with little effort, they ignored the farm. Months later, James received a call from a lawyer informing him of an outstanding debt Sebastian had left for livestock feed and fertilizer.
The brothers decided to sell the farm to settle the debt. However, its dilapidated condition deterred buyers. To attract interest, they edited photos to make the property look appealing and listed it for a low price.
A buyer named Harry, who was struggling after his sister had cheated him out of his inheritance, decided to purchase the farm for $1,000. Harry was unaware of the brothers’ deception and used his children’s college savings to secure the deal. Despite his initial optimism, Harry quickly realized the house needed significant repairs.
Determined to make it work, Harry and his wife began restoring the farm. They planted crops, acquired livestock, and gradually turned the neglected property into a flourishing farm. Neighbors were amazed by their efforts, and Harry eventually began earning from his hard work.
One day, two men arrived, demanding repayment for Sebastian’s debt. Harry promised to pay, using his earnings to settle the balance. While cleaning the attic, he discovered a hidden bag full of cash and a letter written by Sebastian.
The letter read:
“If you’re reading this, it means my sons have failed me. I’m Sebastian, and I entrusted my farm to my children, hoping they’d cherish and maintain it. This land was my grandfather’s legacy, and he worked tirelessly to create a livelihood for our family. Sadly, my sons lack the will to work hard. I hope whoever finds this will value the farm as I once did.”
Harry was overwhelmed by the unexpected discovery. Not only did it change his financial situation, but it also inspired him to honor Sebastian’s wishes by preserving the farm’s legacy.
I’m not sure what they might have told you, but I hope you’ll take care of my cherished land. It will demand a lot of effort and financial resources, which is why I decided to handle the financial part myself. I’m leaving you this money with the hope that you’ll invest it in my farm and transform it into one of the finest in the area. I want my land to thrive, no matter where I am. I dream of people visiting the farm, a place that draws city folk for its charm. I trust you’ll fulfill my wish since my sons have likely decided to ignore this final request."
After reading the letter and counting the money Sebastian had left, Harry was speechless. He could have used the funds to cover his children’s college education, but instead, he chose integrity. Using part of the money to settle Sebastian’s outstanding debts, Harry allocated the remainder to revitalize the farm. He worked diligently to restore it to the vision Sebastian had in mind, even naming it “William and Sebastian’s Farm.”
Before long, the farm began attracting locals who regularly bought eggs, milk, and fresh produce. People from nearby towns started visiting as well, and the income allowed Harry to turn a profit. Just a year later, Harry had saved an amount ten times greater than his kids’ college fund. Looking back, he realized that buying the farm had been one of the wisest choices he ever made. He felt deeply thankful to Sebastian for leaving him the money and the opportunity.
As the farm gained popularity as a tourist destination, news of its success reached Sebastian’s sons—James, Fred, and Kyle. They were stunned by the transformation and regretted not heeding their father’s advice.
"Hi, Harry!” James greeted him. “The farm looks incredible! I bet you’re making a lot of money now.”
“Yes,” Harry responded with a smile. “Buying this farm has truly changed my life.”
“Well, since we sold it to you for such a low price, how about sharing some of your profits with us?” James suggested slyly. “You could split the earnings with us evenly.”
“What?” Harry laughed. “Why would I share my income with you? After buying the farm, my wife and I worked tirelessly to rebuild and restore it. You didn’t lend us a hand at all.”
James looked down, embarrassed, as he searched for another way to manipulate Harry. The brothers desperately needed money, having accumulated debts they couldn’t repay. Sensing their plight, Harry made them an offer they couldn’t refuse.
“If you need money, why not work on the farm full-time?” Harry proposed. “I’ll pay you each a monthly wage.”
With no other option, the brothers agreed and began working on the farm. It wasn’t long before they realized just how much effort their father had put into it. Long hours and hard labor gave them a newfound appreciation for the value of money.
One day, while cleaning the attic, James stumbled upon a $500 bill lying on the floor. “Wow!” he exclaimed, picking it up. “Who left this here?” His eyes lit up as he imagined all the ways he could spend the money. Yet, his conscience urged him to do the right thing.
“I should give this back to Harry,” James decided.
To his surprise, Harry laughed when James handed over the bill. “It’s a bonus for your honesty, James. Keep it!” Harry revealed. He had intentionally placed the money in the attic to test his brothers’ integrity.
Grateful for the farm’s success, Harry taught his children how to tend to the crops and care for the animals. When they eventually left for university in the city, they frequently returned home to help on the farm during their breaks. Watching his children work diligently gave Harry peace of mind. Unlike Sebastian, Harry didn’t worry about the future of his farm. He knew it would remain in good hands.
What lessons can we draw from this story? Hard work pays off in the end. When Harry took over the farm, he understood that success required effort before rewards would come. Without his dedication, he wouldn’t have reaped the benefits of his labor. Additionally, it’s important to teach children the value of money from an early age. Sebastian’s sons didn’t appreciate its worth because they had always been given whatever they wanted without understanding the effort behind it.
Share this story with your loved ones—it might inspire them or brighten their day.