Charlotte paused for a moment, instinctively looking at Joe.
Joe immediately crouched down and patiently explained to Ben and Anna, "Baby penguins need to live here, with their parents, to survive. If we take it away hastily, it won't be helping it at all; in fact, it might harm it."
Joe's tone was serious, and Ben and Anna involuntarily suppressed their last thoughts of taking the penguin with them.
Having dissuaded Ben and Anna from their impulse to keep the penguin, Joe finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing them somewhat downcast, Joe made a promise to them, saying, "Although we can't take it home, you can take care of it until we find its family or bring it to a rescue station, alright?"
The eyes of the two children, which had dimmed, immediately lit up again.
They nodded enthusiastically, "Of course! No problem!"
Anna tightened her down jacket around the penguin, afraid it might get cold.
Looking at the penguin's round head, Charlotte couldn't resist and reached out to pat its little head.
"Be careful; it might bite you," Joe reminded her from the side.
Seemingly understanding that Charlotte meant no harm, the baby penguin just tilted its head and let out a couple of calls, then allowed her to pet it.
Feeling the unusual texture of the little creature, Charlotte couldn't help but sigh, "If it weren't for the constraints of reality, I'd want to take one home, too."
Joe looked at Charlotte, full of anticipation, and chuckled helplessly.
They quickly found the expedition leader with the baby penguin. The leader was surprised to see such a small penguin and suggested contacting a nearby research station.
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