A Berry Mild Consequence For Leaving A Child Unattended

I’m shopping when a young boy, maybe eight years old, approaches me. He’s holding a shopping basket.

Boy: “Excuse me, miss?”

Me: “Are you okay? Do you need help?”

Boy: “I need… that.”

He points at a box of strawberries on a shelf that’s too high for him to reach.

Me: “Here you go.”

I hand him the box and he gently places it in his basket.

Boy: “Miss?”

Me: “Uh, yes?”

Boy: “I need… another.”

I hand him another box of strawberries.

Me: “Are your parents nearby?”

Boy: “I need… two more.”

I hand him two more boxes of strawberries. I’m scanning the area for anyone that might be a parent and not really thinking about the strawberries.

Boy: “I need… two more.”

I hand him two boxes.

Me: “What does your mom look like?”

Boy: “Also one more.”

I hand him ANOTHER box.

Me: “Is that your mom?”

He doesn’t answer, but he leaves with his basket. I start to flag down an employee to try to find his parents when, around the corner, I hear…

Woman: “[Boy]! You can’t wander off like that! You need to stay with— Why do you have so many strawberries?!”