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Her parents proudly handed her a suitcase. “Honey, we’ve saved every penny we've ever earned and turned them into these bonds."
When things get really bad, take the bonds to the bank and they will be worth a fortune. Just make sure to keep them in good condition just like we’ve done.”
And with that they flipped open the suitcase and showed their daughter stacks of pristine bonds.
They all embraced. The daughter put the bonds in a safe place.
Every year she would check the bonds and make sure they were in the same condition as when her parents gave them to her.
One year there was a flood. The first thing the daughter saved was the suitcase of bonds. But she also took the flood as a sign from the heavens that it was time to redeem them.
She brought her bonds into the bank and went to see an officer. She opened the case and placed it on the table. The banker took one look at the bonds and asked to be excused for a moment.
A few minutes later the officer came back with the bank president.
“There seems to be a slight problem with your bonds ma’am," he said.
"You're too late—these expired 20 years ago. If you had come to me back then, they would have been worth a fortune. But the agency that issued them no longer exists. I’m sorry to tell you that your fortune is worthless.”