The days after the celebration became brighter in the garden.
The boy had decided to stay.
He woke up early every morning and helped everyone. He carried vegetables, cleaned the paths, and watered the plants with care.
At first, he worked quietly.
But slowly, he began to smile more.
Kichy often stayed near him, talking and laughing. The snail watched him with calm approval. And Peggy felt happy seeing how much he had changed.
"You are part of us now," Peggy said one morning.
The boy looked at her and nodded gently.
That afternoon, the garden was peaceful.
A soft wind moved through the trees, and everything felt calm.
Suddenly…
A sharp sound cut through the silence.
Something rushed through the air.
Thwack.
A loud cry followed.
"Aahhh!"
Peggy turned quickly. "What was that?"
Without waiting, the boy ran toward the sound.
"Wait!" Kichy shouted, jumping after him.
Near the tall trees, they saw him.
A small monkey lay on the ground, struggling in pain.
An arrow was stuck in his side.
Peggy gasped. "A hunter…"
The monkey tried to move but couldn't.
The boy didn't hesitate.
"Help me," he said quickly.
Kichy looked around nervously. "What if the hunter is still nearby?"
"We don't have time," the boy said firmly.
Carefully, he knelt beside the monkey.
"It's okay," he said softly. "We won't hurt you."
The monkey looked at him with fear and pain.
Peggy quickly ran back and brought cloth and water.
"Slowly," she said.
The boy held the arrow gently.
"This will hurt," he whispered.
The monkey closed his eyes.
With one careful movement, the boy pulled the arrow out.
The monkey cried out, then became still, breathing heavily.
Peggy quickly pressed the cloth to the wound.
"We need to take him to the Pumpkin House," she said.
Together, they carried the monkey back.
Inside, they cleaned the wound and wrapped it carefully. Grandma guided them with calm hands and wise words.
"Keep him warm," she said. "And let him rest."
The boy stayed beside the monkey the whole time.
He didn't leave.
Hours passed.
As the evening light softened, the monkey slowly opened his eyes.
He looked around… confused at first.
Then he saw them.
Peggy smiled gently. "You are safe."
The monkey tried to sit up.
"Don't move," the boy said softly.
The monkey looked at him for a long moment.
"…You saved me," he said weakly.
The boy shook his head. "We all did."
Kichy jumped in. "Yes! Teamwork!"
The monkey gave a small smile.
"My name is Miku," he said.
Peggy nodded. "Welcome, Miku."
Days passed, and Miku slowly became stronger.
He began to walk again, then climb a little, and soon he was moving around happily.
He laughed loudly, jumped from branch to branch, and filled the garden with new energy.
Kichy finally had someone to match his excitement.
"You are too fast!" Kichy laughed.
"And you are too slow!" Miku teased.
Everyone smiled.
One evening, as the sun set softly, Miku sat beside Peggy.
"I don't want to go back," he said quietly. "Can I stay here… with all of you?"
Peggy looked at her friends.
They all smiled.
"This is your home too," she said.
Miku's face lit up with joy.
And as the night settled gently over the Pumpkin House, Peggy looked around at her growing family.
A boy who once felt lost…
A snail who once needed help…
And now, a monkey who found a home.
She understood something deeply.
Kindness doesn't just help others…
It brings hearts together…
And turns strangers into family.