Lala, a playful little girl with bright curious eyes, had one secret weakness—moon cakes. Every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, her mother would carefully save them for a special family celebration. But this time, Lala’s craving was stronger than her patience. She could smell the sweet lotus filling and imagine the rich taste melting in her mouth. She knew Mom had hidden the moon cakes in the kitchen cupboard—but Lala had a plan.
One afternoon, while Mom was cleaning the garden, Lala tiptoed across the floor like a little ninja. She looked left and right, making sure no one was watching. Quietly, she opened the cupboard and spotted the red box decorated with golden flowers. Her eyes sparkled with victory. Gently, she took one cake and ran to her secret hiding spot behind the curtains.
There, she sat with excitement, holding the moon cake like a treasure. She took a tiny bite… and her face filled with joy. “Just one,” she promised herself. But just as she took a second bite, she heard footsteps. It was Mom.
“Lala? Where are you?” Mom called. Lala froze, crumbs on her lips. Mom pulled the curtain aside, and there she was—caught red-handed. Lala lowered her head, expecting scolding. But instead of anger, Mom sighed softly. “Lala, moon cakes are for sharing with family. You don’t need to hide to eat what you love.”
Tears welled in Lala’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Mom… I just couldn’t wait.” Mom knelt down, gently wiping the crumbs from her cheek. “I understand. But stealing and hiding only bring guilt. If you ask, I’ll always find a way to share.”
Mom broke the remaining cake in half and handed a piece to Lala. Together, they sat on the floor, eating slowly. It tasted even sweeter—not because of the cake, but because they shared it honestly.
That evening, Mom brought out the rest of the moon cakes, and Lala helped serve them proudly to everyone. She learned that treats are sweeter when shared… and trust is far more precious than any dessert. From that day on, Lala never hid behind curtains—only smiles.
