Magical Melons and Memories

My wife and I were so touched by Sonoko Sakai’s story (“The Magical Melon Returns,” Aug. 29) and Sakai’s relationship with her family that we were wiping away tears by the end. I have not enjoyed a newspaper article so much in a very long time. Keep up the good work.

ED CHAFFIN

Via e-mail

I really enjoyed the story about the melon left on the train. I knew it would be returned because it was a Japanese train. I am a purser with a major airline and my route for the last 10 years has been Los Angeles to Tokyo. I find the Japanese people to be the most honest I have ever met.

Approximately two years ago, we had a group of Japanese boys on board. They were about 12 years old and, after saving their money for a couple of years, were headed for their first visit to the U.S. One boy left his fanny pack in the restroom with his spending money in it. It was gone.

I made an announcement to the passengers to be on the lookout for the bag and explained that the young boy had all his savings in it. One of my flight attendants came to me and asked why I had only made the announcement in English. I smiled. I told her that if a Japanese person had found it, I would have it by now. The money was never turned in.

Later, I was summoned to first class, and an American businessman asked how much money the boy had lost. I told him $200. He opened his wallet and gave me two $100 bills. He said, “Don’t tell anyone where this came from. Just tell the boy that it’s from an American who hopes he has a wonderful time during his first visit to the United States.”

JO-ANNE COLLINS Fountain Valley

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