Here is a concise summary of the story:
**Title:** The Mysterious Whistler of the Neighborhood
**Summary:**
The narrator, Ophelia, reveals a disturbing mystery in her former neighborhood. A welcoming committee warned her family about a nightly whistler who would walk the streets from 4-5 am. Locals believed that looking for the whistler would bring bad luck, as exemplified by the tragic fate of a neighbor, Mr. Woods, who initially sparked curiosity. When a troublesome boy named Oscar temporarily stayed with Ophelia's family, he broke the rule, leading to a terrifying encounter. Later, Ophelia discovered the whistler's identity: Mr. Woods, who, after his son's passing, whistled to keep his son's memory alive and bring hope to others. The story takes a heartwarming turn, revealing the positive impact of the whistler on the community, and how, after Mr. Woods' death, the neighbors continued his legacy by helping one another.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, without opinions, in short sentences with numbers:
**Family Background**
1. The narrator, Ophelia, moved to a new city with her family due to her premature and sick little sister.
2. The family settled in a unique neighborhood with many secrets.
**The Neighborhood and Whistler**
3. The neighborhood had an unusually friendly and happy community.
4. A welcoming committee of four people greeted new residents, including Ophelia's family.
5. The committee shared a "little secret" about a daily whistling occurrence between 4:00-4:05 am.
6. Residents were advised not to look for the source of the whistling to avoid bad luck.
**Incident with Mr. Woods**
7. A neighbor, Mr. Woods, reportedly saw the whistler and subsequently experienced a change in luck.
8. Mr. Woods' son died two weeks after allegedly seeing the whistler.
9. Mr. Woods became reclusive after his son's death.
**Oscar's Visit and Incident**
10. A family left their 9-year-old son, Oscar, with Ophelia's family for a night.
11. Oscar was curious about the whistling and eventually opened a blind to look out at 4:00 am.
12. After seeing something, Oscar became terrified and closed the window.
**Aftermath and Revelation**
13. Oscar's parents returned, and he was picked up; before leaving, he whispered to Ophelia, "He was a child."
14. Ophelia encountered the whistler again while riding her bike, but this time saw an old man.
15. The old man, revealed to be Mr. Woods, explained his story to Ophelia.
**Mr. Woods' Story**
16. Mr. Woods and his son used to walk together in the mornings.
17. After his son's death, Mr. Woods started whistling to keep his son's memory alive.
18. Mr. Woods believed his son's spirit guided him to whistle.
**Conclusion**
19. Ophelia kept Mr. Woods' secret and never told anyone.
20. Mr. Woods continued whistling until his death a year ago.
21. After Mr. Woods' death, the whistling stopped, but the community was inspired to help each other.