A man finds a wallet containing $700. Days later, he reads a notice from a wealthy man offering a $50 reward for his lost wallet. The man returns the wallet, but the wealthy owner counts the money and accuses, “I see you have already taken your reward.” Confused, the poor man asks, “What are you talking about?” The wealthy man claims, “This wallet had $750 in it when I lost it.”

They argue and decide to go to court. Both present their cases, with the wealthy man concluding, “Your Honor, I trust you believe me.” The Judge responds, “Of course.” The rich man smiles, thinking he has won, while the poor man feels devastated.

Then the Judge takes the wallet from the wealthy man and hands it to the poor man. The rich man protests angrily, “What are you doing?” The Judge explains, “If you say your wallet had $750, I believe you. But if the man who found this wallet were a thief, he wouldn’t have returned it. Therefore, this wallet must belong to someone else. If that person comes forward, they’ll get the money. Otherwise, it stays with the man who found it.”

The wealthy man, still upset, asks, “What about my money?” The Judge replies, “We’ll have to wait until someone finds your wallet with the $750 in it.”