Homeless Man Rings in a New Start

A US homeless man gains international attention after he returns a diamond ring mistakenly given to him.

Published

3 months ago

Categories

US

Topics

United States

Places

United States of America, Texas, Missouri

Transcript

Honesty has brought fame and maybe a small fortune to homeless Missouri man, Billy Ray Harris. When Sarah Darling gave Harris spare change, she also dropped her diamond ring into his cup. Harris held onto the ring and gave it back to Darling when she returned to the scene. SOUNDBITE: Sarah Darling, woman who dropped her diamond ring into Harris' cup, saying (English): "I'm just so grateful." SOUNDBITE: Billy Ray Harris, homeless man, who returned Harris' ring, saying (English): "I could tell exactly how much it meant to you, the moment I held it up like that." News of the good deed soon spread. But Harris isn't too comfortable with all the attention he's getting. SOUNDBITE: Billy Ray Harris, homeless man, who returned Harris' ring, saying (English): "What I'm actually feeling like, is what has the world come to when a person returns something that don't belong to them, and all this happens." And a reward Harris wasn't expecting: a possible reunion with his sister, who he hasn't seen in almost 20 years. SOUNDBITE: Billy Ray Harris, homeless man, who returned Harris' ring, saying (English): "That is a gift. I've been so worried about my sister. My baby sister and my middle sister, they are my best friends in the whole world." His sister Robin Harris saw the story in Texas and recognized her brother. SOUNDBITE: Billy Ray Harris' sister, Robin Harris, saying (English): "Sixteen years later, we just found out that he's still living. I want him to come home, but we can't make him come home, but I want him to know that we love him and we miss him." Darling's fiancé started an Internet campaign to raise money for Harris. So far it's brought in over $150,000 USD and by the time the fundraiser ends on May 15th, Harris' life could be changed forever.