In what ways does the creature assist the cottagers and their labours?

He gets them firewood and water, even food.

He stopped stealing their food.

"This trait of kindness moved me sensibly. I had been accustomed, during the night to steal a part of their store for my own consumption; but when I found that in doing this I inflicted pain on the cottagers, I abstained, and satisfied myself with berries, nuts, and roots, which I gathered from a neighbouring wood."