I grow a garden for my family—not the whole neighborhood.
When my neighbor set up a “community pantry,” people started treating my backyard like a free produce stand. Signs, fences, even tarps didn’t stop them. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers—gone.
Tired of arguing and being called selfish, I pulled up the garden. Silence followed… until a young boy showed up with tomatoes and a note from his grandma:
“We didn’t realize what we were taking from you. Thank you for your kindness. We’re sorry.”
I rebuilt the garden with a clear fence and a sign: “This garden is for our family. Knock first.”
This time, neighbors asked, offered help, and respected boundaries.
Lesson learned: generosity works best with respect, not entitlement. 🍅✨
