It's the Thought That Counts

On the Upper East Side of Manhattan, I constantly find things that people have "lost" on the sidewalk such as baby pacifiers, water bottles and single gloves. Usually, these items are left on nearby ledges or  mailboxes in the hopes (too high) that the people who lost them will remember when and where they did so and be looking for them the next time they walk down the same street. The likelihood of these things being reunited with their owners? Zero to nil.

But what happens if the lost item is more valuable such as a cell phone or wallet? These are often brought to the nearest police station where it is trusted they will be kept secure until the owner is contacted and retrieves them. And what is to be done with a set of keys, perhaps with nothing on them to identify the owner? Are they too important to leave on a ledge? Well, a considerate person in my neighborhood recently thought so and took the time to bring the keys to a nearby locksmith's shop and then post a laminated sign on the lamp post where the keys were (presumably) found. The likelihood of them getting back to their owner? Zero to nil, but it's the thought that counts!