Look What I Found

         Margie wanted to get to the Laundromat early before all the machines were taken. She had a lot of clothes to wash today. She hated sitting in the Laundromat when there was so much to do at home. She told four year old Casey to sit down while she loaded the machines. Then she sat beside him and unfolded her newspaper.

         She glanced up and saw Casey picking something up off the floor. “What’s that, Sweetie?” She asked.

         “I found a camera,” he said.

         “Where was it?”

         “Right over there by the wall, behind that laundry basket.”

         “It belongs to somebody; I have to turn it in to lost and found. Here, give it to me. Don’t play with it.”

         He handed it over. “Can I keep it?”

         “No, because it belongs to someone who lost it.”

         “But I found it! Finders keepers.”

         “No, that’s not right, honey. It belongs to someone. If it was yours and you lost it would you want it back?”

         “I guess so. But I did find it.”

         She could see he was still not convinced. She brushed back his curls. “Finding something doesn’t make it yours.” He looked about to cry. She hugged him. “Whoever owns this camera should have it back, you think?”

         “Yeah.” But he still wanted the camera.

         Moments later a young woman ran into the Laundromat and began looking around. Margie asked “Did you lose something?”

         “Yes, my husband’s camera. It was in his pocket when I went to wash his pants and I put it down somewhere."

         “Is this it?” Margie asked and handed her the camera.

         “Oh thank you! Thank you!” the woman said and then ran out and got into her car.

         Casey smiled. “It’s fun to make somebody happy,”

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