Who is at fault here: the greedy one or the one who stole the loot?

Just some background: i work in an office and our supervisor is very nice. The clerk and the supervisor are somewhat friendly, but the supervisor is friendly and supportive to everyone in our unit.

a provider came in to push her service, and brought as a little token of her appreciation a box full of promotional water bottles (without water in them) and inside were pens and little trinkets, and a business card. She brought 25 in and left them where all could access them.

In our unit are about 9 people, in the office are about 30 (about 25 are the target for her promotion). The clerk (who is technically not the target of the promotion) took 6 bottles for herself and hid them in her drawer. As a result, there were some people who did not get one.

The supervisor asked the clerk if she could have one, and the clerk gave her one of her six. The supervisor then, when the clerk was not at her desk, went into the clerk’s desk and took one (i think she took it to give another employee who was not here to get one herself).

The clerk is now mad that the supervisor went into her desk to take another bottle. She says the supervisor was wrong and if the supervisor wanted another one, she should have asked her. She is calling what the supervisor did “stealing.” She admits to being greedy and wrong for taking 6, but she says the supervisor should have just told her and she would have given up the second bottle (leaving her with 4).

I say the clerk is wrong because she was greedy in the first place and should not have taken 6. I feel there are some things that are not such a big deal, and especially if it’s your supervisor and you have a good relationship, and you admit you were wrong for taking the 6, then let the anger go. I feel if she is really unhappy about it she should discuss with the supervisor and then let it go. I don’t think it pays to be angry about little things like this. I advised the clerk to discuss with the supervisor and then they could have a discussion like two adults.

What is the opinion of the collective?