What's the saddest song you can think of? Because that's probably what Berklee College student Donald Rabin wanted to perform on his quite fancy gold and silver flute - if it weren't for the fact he lost it on the train.
He purchased the $22,000 with inheritance money and has had it by his side... except that one time he forgot to take it off a Blue Line train near O'Hare International Airport during a layover. By the time the Somerville resident realized it - it was too late. The train had left the station.
For hours on January 29th, he scoured the city, searching trains, calling each stop on the line, the police... and there was no sign of his pitch perfect pipe. So, he turned to Facebook and tried one last ditch effort to find it.
The story caught the attention of Chicago news stations who covered the story - and that caught the attention of one eagle-eyed pawn shop owner. A couple brought the flute in that same day and got a $500 loan while he investigated the flute's worth - and origins. The story came across the television and he knew he had the instrument.
The shop owner called police, police called Donald, Donald returned to Chicago and performed a solo show for the department, and now Donald has his instrument back and a very important lesson.
Amazingly, Donald has no ill will towards the homeless couple that found the instrument and tried to profit off of their find. As a matter of fact, he is encouraging people to donate to a GoFundMe to help them get back on their feet. Incredible grace, and a happy ending.