The housemaid showed compassion and fed the orphan during the owners’ absence. When the rich couple came back, they were stunned by what they saw.

“Maybe he’s just hungry,” Yulia Antonovna whispered, her heart aching for the boy. After checking the grand clock in the sitting room and realizing the couple wouldn’t be back for a while, she quietly stepped outside.

“What’s your name?” she asked softly, looking at the child who stood watching the road.

“Vasya,” he answered, eyeing her warily from beneath his unkempt bangs.

“Well then, Vasya, come with me. I’ve got some fresh apple pie for you,” she said kindly, and without a second thought, the boy followed her. His stomach had been rumbling all day—he hadn’t eaten a single thing.

In the kitchen, Yulia Antonovna gently sliced a hefty piece of pie and placed it before the starving child.

“This is amazing!” Vasya said with delight, sinking his teeth into the warm, tender pastry.
“My mom used to bake a pie just like this.”
“And where is your mother now?” the woman asked gently. The boy paused, stopped chewing, and lowered his eyes.
“I’ve been looking for her for a long time… she disappeared,” he whispered.
“Eat, eat,” Yulia encouraged him softly. “You’ll find her. I’m sure you will.”