Umbrella Blues
John Smith took his collection of disabled umbrellas to the repairer's. Two days later, on his way to work, he got up to leave the bus and absentmindedly laid hold of the umbrella belonging to a woman beside him.
"Stop, thief!" cried the woman, and at once she rescued her umbrella, and covered him with shame and confusion.
Later that same day, John stopped by the repairer's shop and received all ten of his umbrellas repaired and working fine. As he entered the bus, with the umbrella bundle in his hands, he was horrified to behold the lady of his morning misadventure, scowling at him.
Her shrill voice cut straight through him, as she charged, "Had a good day, didn't you?!"
"No, madam," replied John. "A good day would not include you twice."
Originally published November 25, 2003.
