Not only did the Queens taxi driver graciously accept a passenger’s 30-cent tip on a nearly $11 ride, but hours later he tracked her down and returned the black travel bag she left in the cab’s trunk.

It contained two small display cases with 31 diamond rings tucked inside.

He never considered keeping the sparkling treasure for that would have darkened his soul, he explained yesterday.

“I’m a hard worker,” the soft-spoken cabbie said. “I enjoy my life. I’m satisfied. I’m not going to take someone else’s money or property to make me rich. I don’t want it that way.”

The woman, who said she was a jeweler, wanted to give Osman, an emigrant from Bangladesh, a handsome reward. He grudgingly accepted $100 as compensation for the income he didn’t make picking up passengers because he was on his mission to do the right thing. [ more ]