Monday was another painful day for The Pony. At least it wasn't physical pain this time. But emotional pain can leave a scar, too. The details were explained on our 6:00 a.m. phone call Tuesday.
"I felt so bad yesterday. I was walking up to a house, and stumbled on the sidewalk. While I was skipping around trying to keep my balance, I knocked over the people's yard ornament. It was a little statue, holding one of those shiny balls. It tipped over in slow motion, and the ball shattered. I felt especially bad, because they are an old couple, and really nice."
"Did you tell them about it?"
"I left a note telling them that it was an accident. That I tripped and knocked it over. I left them $30, and said, 'I hope this is enough to cover it. I am really sorry. Your Mail Carrier.' And the date."
"Well, at least they will know it wasn't kids, or somebody just being mean."
"Yeah. I feel so bad."
What else can you do, really? An apology, and an attempt at compensation for the damage.
If it was my shattered ball, I would accept the apology, and give the money back. Because accidents happen, you know. Especially around The Pony...
Hi Val, That was so kind of The Pony to both leave both the apology note and the money. I, like you, would accept the apology and return the money. I would be happy just knowing that the Christmas decoration wasn't intentionally broken. Glad to hear that The Pony didn't hurt himself:)
ReplyDeleteI'll ask The Pony for more details tomorrow at Thanksgiving dinner. I don't even know if it was a Christmas decoration. My grandma used to have a big version of one of those shiny orb thingies in her front yard, on a concrete pedestal/statue.
DeleteMy first thought when I heard the "stumble" was that The Pony was hurt again. It was a relief to hear it was only property damage.
Was the condition of sidewalk the cause of him stumbling? At least they know someone did not do it maliciously.
ReplyDeleteThe Pony didn't mention any details of the sidewalk, so it was probably not in bad condition. Sometimes they look fine, but tree roots have made them a little uneven. Knowing it was an accident would have set my mind at ease, because the first thing I would suspect is vandalism.
DeleteOh, I was horrified you misspelled "statute."
ReplyDeleteHeh, heh! I assumed someone would try to shame me for that, rather than reading the story, and realizing I was talking about an actual statue!
DeleteOn the subject of spelling, I was curious about how you spelled "roux" in your post today: "Tommy is shocked he has to cook the rue for my giblet gravy." Is that a regional thing? Or maybe Autocorrect overstepped its boundaries? I hate Autocorrect!
When I am tired and my eyes are dry, I read all sorts of strange things. I know how to spell roux. I was tired and about to sleep. Autocorrect might be responsible. I, too, hate it. Don't give anyone grace thinking it is regional to spell a word wrong. No, it is ignorance.
DeleteDifferent countries have different spellings, and different words for things. Different regions here use different words. It's not such a stretch.
DeleteAround here, dinner is supper, but in some places dinner is lunch. A furry little critter is a ground squirrel, not a chipmunk. A snake with a rattle is referred to as a copperhead, not a rattlesnake. A couch is never called a sofa or a divan. I was curious if that spelling might be used in your area.
Obviously you raised a responsible young man. I am sure that the older couple will be so relieved to know it wasn't vandalism. I am also sure they will appreciate that Pony stepped up.
ReplyDeleteI figure that's how they'll react, seeing as how they are old like me, and that would be my feelings.
DeleteWhat a heartwarming story of The Pony doing the right thing. I hope there's a part two (or three).
ReplyDeleteI'll try to follow up after I talk to The Pony.
DeleteSorry for The Pony tripping again and I hope the old couple are able to replace the statue or buy something different that won't shatter.
ReplyDeleteMore details are coming in this yard ornament fiasco...
Delete