In a deserted land far far away, there was once a creature traveling as a merchant, selling various items and food to every village he goes to.
However, he wasn't one of the best as he tricks customers into buying more than what his items are worth.
After journeying for a time, Pierre stumbles upon a remote village.
Pierre thought to himself, "Oh, they must have some fruits and a water source here.” So the merchant decided to stay in the village and restock on his wares before continuing on his journey.
Once Pierre found a place to stay for the night, he went to the marketplace to start buying items. Unbeknownst to him, a pair of eyes had been following him ever since he entered the village.
Because Pierre was busy browsing through the store, a pair of quick and stealthy hands reached into his satchel and took bread from his stock.
After years of being a merchant, Pierre's instincts alarmed him and caught the culprit before he could slip away.
"What do you think you're doing? Don't you know that stealing is against the law? Is this how you live instead of doing work.” Pierre said.
The culprit replied, "What do you know about me? You're a merchant and you have a lot of food and items. You did not even offer us even a little bit of food when you entered this place and yet you want to reduce our livestock? People like you take advantage of unfortunate people like us for your own benefit.”
Pierre was shocked at Dalma's response which gave him a chance to escape from Pierre.
''Ah! Get back here!'' Pierre shouted but he could no longer see the silhouette of the culprit since he ran away immediately.
That night, scenes of Pierre’s past flashed in his dreams. He was an orphan who also stole food from vendors on a daily basis.
Gathering everything he had stolen, he set off on a journey and became the dishonest merchant that he is now. ''You are worthless.'' ''Why do you always trick people?'' ''You're just the same as those people who belittle us poor people.'' Various voices said to him.
Pierre reflected upon himself. ''Perhaps it's time I change my ways.''
The next day, Pierre goes out and buys various kinds of food and wares.
Pierre leaves a sign that says ''Take what you need. Free for all.''
He leaves the town and sets off on a journey not as a merchant, but as a mere traveler seeking a purpose in life
People from the village took the items from the merchant's table and eventually the stock ran out. Dalma saw what Pierre did so he decided to also leave food and other wares on the table.
In the end, various townsfolk started donating and leaving useful things on the table, extending it to hold more items and changed Pierre's sign to ''Community Pantry, Take what you need and leave anything you can offer''
Far away from the small village, in a tavern. Pierre is serving food, two people sat on a table close to him so he overheard their conversation.
''Oh did you hear about that community pantry the small village up north has?'' Said one. ''I did, I think it's amazing that they made it so that you can take and also donate what you can for everyone to share.'' The other replied.
Pierre smiles and continues to work diligently to make a living for himself.
