For Weeks, I Praised My Neighbor’s Kids for Cleaning the Street – But One Morning I Uncovered the Truth Behind Their ‘Kindness’

Shaking my head, I pulled the coins from my pocket and held them up. “And this? This is the grand prize I’ve been collecting all afternoon!”

Odes’s eyes widened.

“Oh no, you found their stash!”

“I couldn’t help it,” I admitted, laughing again. “I saw them hiding stuff, and I got too curious. I thought they were up to something shady!”

Odes waved a hand, still grinning.

“Don’t worry, I’ll tell them where their treasure went. They’ll think it’s hilarious.”

We stood there, chuckling together, the air light and easy. Then Odes gave me a curious look.

“So, what did you think they were doing? Really?”

I shrugged, a bit embarrassed but smiling. “Honestly?

I thought they were cleaning up the neighborhood to be nice. Like some kind of community service project.” I paused, grinning sheepishly. “I even bragged to you about how thoughtful they were.”

Odes laughed again, shaking her head.

“Well, in a way, they are. They’re keeping Grandpa entertained, and they’re outside getting fresh air, right?”

“True enough,” I said, still chuckling. “But I’ve got to admit, you fooled me.

I really thought I was watching future town leaders at work.”

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