The Buried Treasure

Cherry

By luigi_pagano

Mon, 16 Oct 2023
  • 1383 reads
14 comments
 

I found a map in my garden shed
and the writing on it definitely said
that the X marked the exact spot
where the treasure was in my plot.

My friends told me that I would rue
believing a tale that was so untrue.
But I could no longer resist the lure
to see what was under the manure.

I was quite prepared for a hard toil
when I began to dig the heavy soil.
I must have shifted a ton of earth
but of fortunes there was a dearth.

Yet among a load of assorted junk
there was a rusting metallic trunk.
The night was dark but I did see
that in the lock there was a key.

I opened the lid and 'golly gosh',
the trunk was awash with dosh.
And there was a note that stated:
these banknotes to be incinerated.

That the money had been looted
is a fact that cannot be disputed.
To inform the relevant authority
must now be the main priority.

 

© Luigi Pagano 2023

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/banknote-thieves-told-to-repay-pou...

 

 

Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Historical Fiction
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Bit of fun! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Thanks for reading and commenting, Rhiannon. The piece was inspired by a true event. (see the link)

Best wishes, Luigi x

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

There's a sucker born every minute", from one sucker to another. Was the money stolen? From who?

Cheers Luigi! Tom Brown

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

In real life, a lot of money was stolen from the Bank of England's incinerator in the 1990s.

Best, Luigi 

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

A very neat and enjoyable peice of writing. Awash with dosh, what a predicament! The relevent authority are sure to waste it though, I'd spend it planting some beautiful trees for everyone to enjoy.

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

A nice idea, Jane, but I wouldn't wish to suffer a similar fate as that of these transgressors.*

* Wednesday 27 April 1994 00:02 BST

THREE families who stole banknotes due for destruction at a Bank of England incineration plant were yesterday ordered to repay more than pounds 500,000 by the High Court.

Luigi x

 

 

Submitted by Turlough on

It's often worthwhile telling the police that there's something like this buried in your garden in the hope that they'll come and turn over the whole place. I wonder if gardening gloves are issued as part of their uniform.

Very amusing words Luigi, and enjoyable.

Turlough

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

It would avoid the need to employ a gardener. I am glad you like this, Turlough, and thank you for your feed back.

Best, Luigi

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I never heard of that story before Luigi. Awash with dosh (and not the kind to be incinerated) what a nice thought : )

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

It caused a stir at the time  They made the film Hot Money in 2001 based on the thefts. The culprits were found because of their lavish spending. I am pleased that my adaption of the event for this week's I.P. gained me a cherry, for which my gratitude.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Watched the movie just the other day, these cleaning ladies gang up with a security guard to rob the federal reserve bank, intercepting and stealing bank notes to be destroyed. Obscene amounts of "cash". More of a comedy actually.

It is similar to counterfeight money but now this is almost impossible to prove oncce you have the paper.

See you & Nolan

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Yes, Nolan, it looks very much like a comedy situation but it was very much a serious business for the Law. It was difficult to get away with it.

Cheers & keep well, Luigi

 

 

Submitted by marandina on

"I opened the lid and 'golly gosh',
the trunk was awash with dosh."

I am glad the narrator did the right thing and advised the authorities. I'm not sure that's what most would have done! Entertaing as always, Luigi. Bravo. Paul

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Glad you liked this interpretation of the I.P. Paul.  The honesty of the narrator is to be commended. You may like the follow-up.
https://www.abctales.com/story/luigipagano/buried-treasure-2-ill-gotten-...

Best, Luigi