The garden was full of joy that day.
It was a special occasion at the Pumpkin House. Bright flowers were tied along the walls, and soft glowing lights made everything look warm and happy.
Everyone was busy.
Carrot arranged fresh vegetables carefully. The Cabbage Girls prepared delicious food. Kichy hopped around excitedly, trying to help but mostly getting in the way.
Peggy smiled as she looked at her friends.
"This is going to be a wonderful evening," she said.
As the sun slowly began to set, the celebration started. Laughter filled the Pumpkin House, and everyone gathered inside.
No one noticed what was happening outside.
Near the edge of the garden, behind a thick bush, a small boy stood quietly.
His clothes were old and dusty. His face looked tired. His eyes were fixed on the vegetables.
He swallowed slowly.
"I'm so hungry…" he whispered.
He didn't want to do anything wrong.
But the smell of fresh food and the sight of so many vegetables made it hard to walk away.
He waited for a long moment.
Then slowly… he stepped into the garden.
He moved carefully, looking around again and again. His hands trembled as he picked up a carrot.
"I will take just a little…" he said softly. "No one will notice."
As he turned to leave, a gentle voice stopped him.
"Are you hungry?"
The boy froze.
He slowly turned around.
The snail was there, watching him calmly.
The boy held the carrot tightly.
"I… I didn't want to steal," he said quickly. "I was just… hungry."
The snail didn't look angry.
"Then why didn't you ask?" it asked softly.
The boy lowered his head.
"I thought… no one would give."
At that moment, Kichy saw them and quickly called out.
"Peggy!"
Soon, everyone came outside.
The boy stepped back, scared now.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I will go."
Peggy walked toward him slowly.
She didn't look angry.
She looked… concerned.
"You don't have to go," she said gently.
The boy looked confused.
Peggy smiled softly. "If you are hungry, you should eat… not run."
The boy's eyes filled with surprise.
"…You're not angry?" he asked.
Grandma stepped forward.
"Hunger is not wrong," she said kindly. "Taking without asking is… but we can understand why you did it."
The boy's hands slowly loosened. The carrot slipped slightly, but he held it again.
Peggy pointed toward the Pumpkin House.
"Come with us," she said.
The boy hesitated… then slowly nodded.
That night, for the first time in many days, the boy ate a full meal.
He sat quietly at first, unsure.
But slowly, he began to smile.
Kichy made him laugh.
The Cabbage Girls gave him extra food.
And Peggy watched him with a warm heart.
When the night grew calm, the boy looked at Peggy.
"Thank you," he said softly. "I thought I had no choice… but you showed me I did."
Peggy smiled.
"Next time," she said gently, "just ask."
The boy nodded.
And under the soft lights of the Pumpkin House, Peggy learned something new.
Not everyone who takes something is a thief…
Sometimes…
They are just hungry.