Beatrice died a rich woman. Through wise investments and not giving in to her children’s demands, she had accumulated a fortune. Her three estranged children knew that their mother had money, which they wanted.

Beatrice’s children gathered for the reading of the will, in the office of Beatrice’s lawyer. They were sitting around an oak table when Mr. Lawton appeared, carrying an old wooden box. A brass keyhole adorned the front and tarnished handles were on both sides of its lid.

The lawyer also carried three skeleton keys, and an envelope containing Beatrice’s last instructions. The keys looked similar except for the bits that protruded from the end. Different bits meant only one might open the box. Mr. Lawton opened the envelope and read the instructions.

“To my children: Whomever opens this box will inherit my money. However; if none of you open the box, my money goes to a charity of my choosing.”

Mr. Lawton distributed the keys. Yancy, Meredith, William grabbed their keys and held them with anticipation of newly found riches. Yancy, the first-born child, went first. “I am the oldest. Surely, the money is mine. Don’t worry. I will share what I think you both deserve.”

He inserted his key into the lock and twisted it to the left and to the right. The lock didn’t open.

“Step away.” Meredith said, as she brushed her brother to the side. “Mother adored having a daughter. We spent hours partaking in things only mothers and daughters could. When I open the box, I will consider sharing a portion with my brothers.”

Meredith went through the motions with the key. She forced the key right and then left. The lock wouldn’t open. With a sigh of frustration, she sat down, waiting for William to open the box, hoping that he will share generously.

“Mother always had a special love for me. As the youngest, I was closest to her heart. I’m sure she wanted me to inherit her money.”

William gently moved the key to the right. He then turned the key to the left. Once more, the lock didn’t open. With anger in his eyes, he threw the key onto the table and yelled. “What was mother thinking? She had three loving children who cared for her, even though we didn’t see much of her these past several years. Now she has left us out of her will.”

“How could she?” cried Meredith. How shall I raise my family without the money I deserve?

“Now all will be lost to some charity.” Yancy replied. “This is no way for her to show us the love we showed her.”

The reading was over. The three angry children grabbed their coats and left. On the table sat the useless key. As soon as they were gone, Mr. Lawton sat down in front of the box. He held the handles and opened the lid. He reached in and extracted a piece of paper. It contained the name of Beatrice’s favorite charity.