The afternoon sun was sinking low, casting a warm golden light through the windows of the little house. Normally, this was the happiest time of the day. Mom would be home early, sitting on the porch with her gentle smile, and both Cutis and the baby monkey would run toward her, excited to share every little story of their day. But today was different. The atmosphere was tense, quiet, and filled with uncertainty.
Cutis had noticed it first. Mom moved slower than usual, holding her belly with a hand pressed tightly against it. She winced as though waves of pain rolled through her body. The baby monkey, always playful and quick to notice small changes, tilted his head and tugged at her dress, as if to ask, “Mom, what’s wrong?”
Mom tried to smile, but the beads of sweat on her forehead and the tremble in her hands betrayed her. She whispered softly, “Don’t worry, my loves… it’s just… your new sibling may be arriving sooner than expected.”
Those words landed heavily on Cutis. He was old enough to understand what “labor” meant, but he had never seen it with his own eyes. His heart began to pound in his chest, and his mind flooded with questions. Was Mom in danger? Would everything be alright? What if she needed help right away?
The baby monkey didn’t understand labor, but he understood something was wrong. His usually sparkling eyes were wide with worry. He clung to Cutis’s arm, making soft whimpering sounds, as if asking him to explain what was happening.
Confusion and Worry
Cutis tried to stay calm for both of them, but inside he was trembling. He had always been brave in front of the baby monkey—whether it was chasing away a barking dog, fixing a broken toy, or inventing silly games to cheer him up. But now? Now he felt helpless.
“Mom… are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?” Cutis asked, his voice cracking slightly.
Mom breathed deeply and nodded. “Yes, we should go soon. The signs are strong now. But don’t be afraid. This is natural. It means the baby is ready to meet us.”
The baby monkey pressed his tiny face into Mom’s lap, still confused. He made soft chattering noises, as if begging her not to be in pain. Cutis gently stroked his fur, whispering, “It’s okay, little brother. She’s not sick… the baby’s coming.”
But the reassurance was as much for himself as it was for the monkey. He remembered stories his friends told about their moms giving birth—some were joyful, but others were filled with scary details. He didn’t know which story would be theirs.
Helping Hands
As the contractions grew stronger, Mom needed to sit down. Cutis quickly ran to fetch a pillow for her back, then filled a glass of water. The baby monkey, watching Cutis, imitated his actions. He brought a little blanket from the corner of the room and carefully laid it across Mom’s lap, as though his small gesture could take away the pain.
Mom’s eyes softened with gratitude. Even in her discomfort, she managed to smile at her two little helpers. “You are both so sweet… you make me strong.”
Cutis felt a lump in his throat. He wanted to be strong, but fear was pressing on his chest like a heavy stone. He whispered, almost to himself, “Please let everything be okay. Please…”
The Longest Wait
Time seemed to stretch endlessly. Minutes felt like hours. Every time Mom grimaced, Cutis felt his stomach twist. The baby monkey clung to him tighter, sensing every wave of tension.
Neighbors soon arrived, alerted by the news. One auntie offered to drive them to the hospital. Relief washed over Cutis, but worry didn’t leave his eyes. On the ride, he held Mom’s hand tightly while the baby monkey sat on his lap, both of them watching her every breath.
“Mom, we’ll be with you,” Cutis said firmly, though his own hands shook. The baby monkey nodded eagerly, as if adding, “Yes, we won’t let go.”
Mom, despite the pain, squeezed their hands. “That’s all I need. Your love gives me strength.”
A Prayer in Their Hearts
At the hospital, nurses quickly surrounded Mom, preparing her for delivery. Cutis and the baby monkey were asked to wait outside the room. The door closed, and suddenly the hallway felt cold, lonely, and unbearably quiet.
Cutis sat on the bench, his feet swinging nervously. He looked at the baby monkey, who was pacing back and forth, fidgeting, and making anxious little sounds. Both were confused, both were worried, and both felt powerless.
“Maybe we should pray,” Cutis whispered. He wasn’t sure where the thought came from—maybe from stories Grandma used to tell, or maybe from the desperate pounding of his heart.
He clasped his hands together, bowed his head, and murmured, “Please, whoever is listening… please protect our mom. Please help her and the baby be safe. We don’t want to lose her. We need her.”
The baby monkey, not knowing the words, copied his gesture—placing his little hands together and closing his eyes tight. It was clumsy but full of sincerity.
That moment, in their innocent way, they both gave all their fear and hope into that simple prayer.
Waiting for News
The hallway seemed endless. Cutis leaned against the wall, fighting tears. Every sound from behind the door made his heart race. The baby monkey finally climbed into his lap, burying his face in Cutis’s chest. Together they waited, holding onto each other like two tiny anchors in a storm.
Finally, after what felt like forever, the door opened. A nurse came out with a wide smile. “Congratulations! Mom is doing well. The baby has arrived safely.”
Cutis jumped up, relief flooding through him so quickly that his knees nearly gave way. The baby monkey squealed loudly, hopping up and down in pure joy. They looked at each other, and for the first time that day, they both laughed—laughs of pure release and happiness.
A New Beginning
When they were finally allowed into the room, they saw Mom lying peacefully, holding a small bundle in her arms. The baby’s tiny cries filled the room, fragile but strong.
Cutis rushed to her side, eyes wide with wonder. The baby monkey climbed up carefully, peeking curiously at the new sibling. His confusion had turned into fascination. He stretched out a little hand to touch the baby’s blanket, then looked at Mom as if asking for permission.
Mom nodded gently, and the baby monkey patted the blanket softly, chattering with excitement.
Cutis whispered, “Mom, I was so scared. But I prayed, and… and it worked.” His eyes shone with tears, not of fear anymore, but of gratitude.
Mom reached out and pulled both of them close. “Your love was my strongest prayer. I felt it. I wasn’t alone for a single moment.”
Please Pray for Us
That night, as the stars filled the sky outside the hospital window, Cutis sat by Mom’s bed with the baby monkey curled up beside him. They watched their new sibling sleep peacefully.
The fear and confusion of earlier had melted away, replaced by warmth and pride. They had faced a storm together, and now a new chapter had begun.
Still, deep in his heart, Cutis whispered one last time: “Please continue to bless us, keep Mom strong, and let us grow together as a happy family.”
The baby monkey, half-asleep, snuggled closer and gave a soft sigh, as if echoing the same prayer.
And in that quiet room, surrounded by love, their little family felt the strength of every whispered hope.
