Mr. Chipfellow's Jackpot

"Mr. Chipfellow's Jackpot" by Dick Purcell is a science fiction short story from the mid-20th century centered around Sam Chipfellow, a rich and quirky inventor whose will sparks a mad dash for his fortune. It tackles the concepts of life's end, avarice, and serendipity, focusing on Chipfellow's will, which initiates a unique scavenger hunt for his vast wealth. The main action spins around Chipfellow's clever will that says his hidden wealth can be found by thinking of something geared towards a specific vault. The plot thickens after his death, setting off a huge public craze, and thousands of people queue up, each wanting to unlock the vault. Many people tried for a long time, but no one could manage to open it. Finally, a young girl named Susan makes an honest and kind wish, and this leads to the surprising disclosure of the vault's mysteries. The story offers a careful look at ambition by showing the different reasons of the eager multitude versus the plain and pure thoughts of a kid.