I spent the Christmas weekend with my wife’s family, with many children present.

Amidst the festivities, a box caught my eye. It bore the name of R2D2, the celebrated “‘droid” from the “Star Wars” pictures, with a legend: nom de machine (machine name).

The box was otherwise a mystery. It had no address or brand or other indication of content or sender. There was a bar code sticker, but that could have been anyone’s. “R2D2 Nom de machine” actually were the only words written anywhere on the box. The legend and the writing on sealing tape were in French, suggesting that the box was put together in France. But I haven’t the faintest idea of what it contained. The box was too small to have housed the R2D2 featured in the “Star Wars” pictures, and none of the children present had the good ortune to receive an R2D2 replica, doll, or disguise as a gift.

I admire the box maker for including this pleasant surprise on its box.