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Original poster

I accidentally stole a saucer

98 replies

WomanStanleyWoman · 02/02/2022 14:30

This is going to make me sound a bit mad, but what the hell Grin

Where I live it’s quite common for people to leave things they’re giving away on their front wall or outside the house (books, toys, old cups/glasses etc.)

I went past this house a couple of streets away the other night and there was a saucer and a little bowl on the wall. The saucer had the exact pattern of the china my grandma used to have. I don’t usually believe in ‘signs’ or anything like that, but it would have been her birthday last week, so I was feeling a bit sentimental and decided I’d take the saucer.

Then last night I went past the house again. The bowl was still there, but with a different saucer… and they both had cat food in them. Obviously the first night the cat must have already eaten the food, or the owners hadn’t replenished it… but yes, I basically stole their cat food dish.

Do I put it back (creating the mystery of the disappearing and reappearing saucer in the process)? Or do I accept that it probably wasn’t a family heirloom if they’re using it for cat food and keep schtum (and keep the saucer)?

🙈🙈🙈

OP posts:
Barrawarra · 02/02/2022 14:32

This made me chuckle. I have no advice or strong feelings on the matter but placemarking to find out what you decide to do!!

steff13 · 02/02/2022 14:32

Do you have a different saucer you could replace it with? I would probably do that. I do believe in signs though.

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 02/02/2022 14:33

Keep the saucer but take some Dreamies to replace it.

londonrach · 02/02/2022 14:33

Lol... Op! Very common here to leave things so easy mistake to make. I'd pop back and explain that you took the cat bowl and why.

londonrach · 02/02/2022 14:34

Maybe take them another saucer and a small box of cat treats x

MrsTerryPratchett · 02/02/2022 14:34

Pop it back with a note. You weren't stealing. But if you keep it you are.

Chely · 02/02/2022 14:35

You stole from a cat, you criminal!! 🤣🤣

howdidigettobe50something · 02/02/2022 14:35

Ah that really made me laugh! Yes sometimes people do that near me and it's good way for things to be reused by others. I can see how you made that mistake but my next move would depend on whether I knew the neighbour or not. If I did, I'd be inclined to pop round with the saucer and explain...they would see the funny side I'm sure. If not, I'd probably put it back after dark and leave them with a riddle to solve the following day! Either way I'd return it I think.

EverydayIsPJday · 02/02/2022 14:35

I'd tell them. I'm sure they won't mind, as you say, they were using it for a cat. Offer to buy some cat treats in replacement.

Comedycook · 02/02/2022 14:36

Return it. On our road people often leave stuff on their walls for people to take, especially books and toys.

TibetanTerrah · 02/02/2022 14:36

Put a different saucer back, then swap it with yet another different one another day etc. Sit back and wait for a mystified MNer to start a thread here about it Grin

HemanOrSheRa · 02/02/2022 14:37

There will be posts on your local facebook page about you. Saucer Thief Grin.

Original poster
WomanStanleyWoman · 02/02/2022 14:37

@TibetanTerrah that is so tempting! Grin

OP posts:
londonrach · 02/02/2022 14:37

Love @TibetanTerrah idea...do that!!!!

KittensTeaAndCake · 02/02/2022 14:39

Oh that is funny. I wouldn’t do anything or maybe put a different saucer down and really mess with their heads 😂

pigsDOfly · 02/02/2022 14:40

Now you know you accidentally stole it, you now know to put it back.

It's not yours to keep.

And no, it isn't a sign from your grandma.

BigYellowHat · 02/02/2022 14:41

Print out a picture of the saucer and put it on the wall.

perimenofertility · 02/02/2022 14:41

Put it back with some cat food in it.

AKASammyScrounge · 02/02/2022 14:42

This made me laugh.
I like the idea of replacing the saucer with one of your own and creating a mystery that the family will tell over and over. And the cat, his cutelittle face with a furrowed brow as he contplates his lost saucer...

Original poster
WomanStanleyWoman · 02/02/2022 14:42

@BigYellowHat

Print out a picture of the saucer and put it on the wall.
@BigYellowHat With a ransom note? Grin
OP posts:
AngelDelightUk · 02/02/2022 14:43

Definitely a different saucer in exchange Grin

Blinkingheckythump · 02/02/2022 14:43

The story of the accidental saucer theft, sounds like a classic story lol

AKASammyScrounge · 02/02/2022 14:44

@perimenofertility

Put it back with some cat food in it.
I second that!
tractorhome · 02/02/2022 14:46

I did similar with a trampoline. A rental house had been gutted and sold and a trampoline appeared in the back laneway. I assumed it had come from the empty house.

After watching it for a week or so I carted it off to our garden. A few days later I got a note in the letterbox saying I had the neighbour's trampoline, he'd only put it out into the laneway as they were having a party that night, and had obviously forgotten to bring it in again.

Him and his dad came round to collect it and treated me like an absolute criminal. It was mortifying.

Don't know what you should do in this case. If you do return it, do it in the dead of night.

SalsaLove · 02/02/2022 14:46

@TheLightSideOfTheMoon

Keep the saucer but take some Dreamies to replace it.
Yes, this!!