Seventeen-year-old Martin Farmer had a heavy burden. His mother was ill, and after losing his father, he worked tirelessly to make ends meet. Music tapes from the ’80s were his only escape, so he visited the flea market monthly with his meager savings.
One day, he noticed an elderly man selling an old suitcase for $5. Despite others mocking it, Martin felt compelled to buy it. “This is a suitcase full of hope!” the old man had claimed. Laughing, Martin handed over his last bill and took the suitcase home, where his mother immediately scolded him for the purchase.
Curious about its weight, Martin opened it and was stunned to find packages of $20 bills. “Mom, look!” he shouted. Together, they discovered $300,000—enough for medical bills and college.
“But it’s not ours,” Martin insisted. His mother agreed they must find the old man and return it. For weeks, Martin searched flea markets, eventually spotting him at a bus stop.
“Wait! You sold me a suitcase full of money!” Martin cried.
The old man chuckled. “I know. It was meant to bring hope. Use it well.”
Confused, Martin pressed, “But you seemed poor!”
The man smiled knowingly. “I have more than enough. I give to those who help others in need—like you.”
Martin returned home, sharing the old man’s wisdom. They decided to use the money to improve their lives, including the Suitcase Man in their prayers forever.
