"Just sign here, sir," the deliveryman said as he handed Oscar Reyna a package.
The package consisted of a long, narrow box carefully wrapped in brown paper. opening the box, Oscar saw an umbrella inside — a very old one with a beautifully carved wooden handle. Although he had not seen it in more than 20 years, he recognized it immediately .
Oscar was 16 when he first saw the unusual umbrella. He had gone to a concert with his grandparents. As they were leaving, h noticed an umbrella on an empty seat, impressed by its beauty , Oscar felt a strong desire to find its owner .
Oscar convinced the manager to look in the record of advance ticket sales. Just as he thought, a name matched the seat where Oscar had found the umbrella. The name was Mrs. Katie O'Brien.
Oscar talked his grandparents into going by Mrs. O'Brien's house on their way home. He rang the bell, the door opened, and an elderly woman appeared. "May I heip you?" she asked.
"I'd like to return it if it's yours," Oscar said, holding out the umbrella as if presenting a gift that had long been wished for.
"Why, yes! It's mine," replied Mrs. O'Brien with a wide smile and shining eyes. "It was given to me by my father years ago. Thank you so much for returning it. May I offer you a reward for your kindness ?"
"No, ma'am," he said, "My grandmother says that a good deed is its own reward. "
"Well, that's exactly what my father used to say. What is your name, young man?"
Years later Oscar was staring at the finely carved handle of the umbrella as he remembered Mrs. O'Brien. It was in perfect condition, considering how old it was. Why had it arrived here today?
As if in answer , a note fell from the paper. It reads: Mrs. O'Brien wanted to accept this umbrella as a present for a kind, unselfish. gesture long ago.