There’s an annual autumn event in Japan called Shichi-Go-San, which is a celebration for children aged three, five, and seven. My brother-in-law’s youngest daughter is seven this year, so on the special day my wife and I gave her a small monetary gift. Sweet kid that she is, she immediately thanked us, but as we left the party my brother-in-law handed us a small cake to express his appreciation as well.

This pattern of giving someone a gift to say thank you for the gift they previously gave you is fairly common in Japan, where gracious manners are always held to be of the utmost importance. As a matter of fact, it’s such a part of life in the country that apparently even one animal, a thankful tanuki, is following the custom.

It’s not clear what @yamapii0509 does for a living, but the Japanese Twitter user’s workplace sits in front of a grove of trees. The area is also home to a tanuki, or raccoon dog, as the cute little critters are also known.

As a bit of neighborly goodwill, @yamapii0509 has taken to setting out a dish of food and water for the animal, which can be seen enjoying a meal here.

But like I said, if someone extends such kindness to you in Japan, it’s considered proper to do something in return. It shouldn’t be so big as to overshadow what was done for you, but good manners dictate giving some small token of your appreciation.

At least that’s why @yamapii0509 believes he recently found this waiting for him in front of his workplace’s door.

“There were some acorns and chestnuts left in front of the entrance to the office,” @yamapii0509 tweeted. “Did the tanuki bring these to say thank you for the food?”

Granted, the tanuki seems to have failed to take into account that people don’t really eat acorns, but it’s the thought that counts, right? And people in Japan love chestnuts as much as the country’s forest creatures do, so we’re betting @yamapii0509 was perfectly pleased with the surprise present from his four-legged friend.

Source: Hamster Sokuho, Twitter/@yamapii0509