The maid felt compassion and fed the orphan while the owners were away. When the wealthy couple returned, they couldn’t believe what they saw…

Vladimir and Lyudmila Grigoryev had employed Yulia Antonovna for many years. That day, the couple had gone out, and after finishing all the housework, the maid sat down to rest by the window. Suddenly, she noticed a thin, ragged boy walking slowly along the fence of the property.

— Maybe he’s hungry… — Yulia murmured, moved by the sight of the child.

Glancing at the large clock in the living room, she realized the couple would not be back anytime soon. Without hesitation, she got up and went out to the yard.

— What’s your name? — she asked gently, approaching the boy who was watching the street closely.

— Vasya — he replied, giving her a cautious look from under his messy bangs.

— Vasya, come with me. I have a freshly baked apple pie. I’ll give you a slice — the woman offered.

The boy, starving, followed her without hesitation. His stomach growled — he hadn’t eaten anything all day.

In the kitchen, Yulia carefully cut a generous slice of pie and placed a plate in front of the child.

— It’s so delicious! — Vasya exclaimed, eagerly biting into the soft pastry. — My mom used to make one just like this!

— And where is your mother? — Yulia asked cautiously.

The boy stopped chewing and looked down sadly.

— I’ve been looking for her for a long time… she disappeared — he whispered.

— Eat, eat — Yulia encouraged gently. — You’ll find your mother someday, I’m sure of it.

At that moment, the front door creaked open — Vladimir and Lyudmila had returned. Yulia jumped when she heard their footsteps.

— And who is our guest here? — Vladimir asked, surprised as he peeked into the kitchen. His eyes widened when he saw the boy.

— Who did you bring into the house, Yulia? — he asked sternly.

— This child is looking for his mother; he was hungry, so I decided to feed him — Yulia replied calmly, with a slight shrug.

— So now you’re feeding any stray off the street? Our opinion doesn’t matter anymore? — the man of the house protested.

Hearing this, Vasya started to cry.

— I’ll go now — he murmured, placing the half-eaten piece of pie back on the plate.

Then Lyudmila stepped forward:

— Wait, little one — she said softly. — Tell me, where are you from? Where did you lose your mother?

Lyudmila had always been gentler than her husband. Vladimir would sometimes scold her for being too soft-hearted, but he could never change her nature.

— I live with my grandfather, but he’s mean. He yells at me a lot, sometimes he even hits me. I ran away — Vasya confessed, pulling a yellowed photograph from the pocket of his old, torn pants.

— These are my parents. We used to live together — he said, wiping away his tears and handing the photo to the couple.

Lyudmila took the photo in her hands… and froze.

— Volodya, look! It’s our daughter, Varya! — she exclaimed, trembling, handing the picture to her husband.

Vladimir took it reluctantly.

— Vasya, where did you get this photo? — he asked, stunned.

— I took it secretly from my grandfather. There’s an address written on the back, so I came here. I thought maybe my mother lived in this house — the boy replied. — My grandfather always says my mom abandoned me like a cuckoo bird. But I don’t believe him!

Lyudmila felt her chest tighten. It couldn’t be a coincidence. She clearly remembered the day their daughter Varya ran away with a gypsy named Manush. For years, they heard nothing — until one day, she returned, only to die in an accident shortly after. That day became a nightmare, and since then, the couple had lived alone in the big house.

— And your father? — Vladimir asked, his voice shaking.

— He died. He was buried six months ago — Vasya answered, tears falling again.

The couple was shocked. They had found a grandson they never knew they had. Tired of loneliness, they made a decision.

— Come, little one, let’s take you to your room — Lyudmila said warmly, holding his hand.

— Will my mom come too? — Vasya asked.

— Your mother is with your father now… — she replied sadly.

The boy turned pale and stayed silent.

Some time later, the adoption papers were completed. When Vasya’s grandfather learned that the boy would live a better life with caring, wealthy people, he didn’t object.

Yulia Antonovna was overjoyed. Thanks to that fateful encounter, her employers had found a reason to smile again.

In time, Vasya stopped being the ragged, hungry boy from the street. He became a well-dressed, polite child — and most importantly, part of a loving family.