Lala had always been the energetic one in her group of friends. She was cheerful, lively, and hardly ever seemed to run out of energy. She helped her family with little chores, played with the other baby monkeys, and loved exploring the garden where her father often worked. To everyone else, Lala was unstoppable. But what many didn’t realize was that she sometimes carried her worries quietly in her heart.
For the past few days, Lala had been feeling a little weaker than usual. She didn’t leap around as much, and her appetite wasn’t the same. Normally, she would be the first to grab a banana from the fruit basket or climb to the top of the tree, but now she preferred sitting in the shade, quietly watching the others. Father had noticed, of course. He tried offering her more food, and he gave her gentle pats of encouragement, but he didn’t want to worry her too much.
That afternoon, while Lala sat near the porch with her head resting on her tiny hand, something unexpected happened. The old phone that her father kept on the table began to ring. It wasn’t a sound they heard often, so Lala’s ears perked up immediately. She tilted her head curiously, wondering who could be calling.
Father picked it up first, but after a brief smile, he handed it gently to Lala.
“It’s for you,” he said softly. “It’s Mom.”
Lala’s big brown eyes widened. She hadn’t expected this at all. Her mother had been away for weeks, staying with relatives and helping care for another family member. The little monkey had missed her terribly, though she didn’t always say it out loud. To suddenly hear that Mom was on the phone—it was like a wave of sunshine breaking through the clouds.
“Hello?” Lala’s voice was shy, a little unsure.
“Lala, my sweet girl! How are you?” came Mom’s warm voice from the other end.
The moment Lala heard her mother, her heart skipped. She could feel tears sting her eyes, not from sadness but from the surprise and comfort of hearing that familiar voice. “Mom! I… I’m okay,” she stammered, though her voice was soft and weak.
But mothers always know.
“You don’t sound like my usual playful Lala,” Mom said gently. “Tell me, are you feeling alright? Has your tummy been okay? Have you been eating your favorite fruits?”
Lala blinked in astonishment. How could Mom know, even from far away? She looked at Father, who only smiled knowingly.
“I’ve been… a little tired,” Lala admitted at last. Her tiny fingers twisted the corner of the tablecloth as she spoke. “I don’t feel like jumping around too much. And… I didn’t finish my bananas yesterday.”
On the other end of the line, Mom’s voice softened with love and care. “Oh, my sweet little one. I’m so glad you told me. Sometimes our bodies need rest, and that’s okay. What matters is that you take care of yourself. I wish I could hug you right now, but I’ll hug you with my words instead.”
Lala smiled through her tears. It was amazing how even just hearing Mom’s voice made her feel a little stronger.
“Are you drinking water? Are you keeping warm when it’s breezy?” Mom continued with her gentle questions, the way only a caring mother could.
“Yes, Dad has been helping me,” Lala replied. She felt proud to say it because Father really had been watching over her.
“I knew he would,” Mom said warmly. “Your father loves you very much. And I love you too, more than words can ever say. I’m calling not just to check on your health, but to remind you that even if I’m far away, I’m always thinking of you.”
Lala’s heart felt full. She realized something important: love wasn’t only shown by being physically close. Sometimes it came in the form of a simple phone call, a few words that carried care across the distance.
The conversation went on for a while. Mom asked about Lala’s little adventures, about the garden, about whether the neighbor’s parrot still squawked every morning. Lala giggled when she remembered the parrot’s silly calls, and for the first time in days, her laughter rang out bright and clear.
Father listened quietly from the side, his eyes soft with relief. He knew how much Lala had missed her mother, and now, hearing her laugh again was the best medicine he could have asked for.
When it was time to say goodbye, Mom promised, “I’ll be home soon, my little sunshine. Until then, rest well, eat your fruits, and smile for me every day. Can you do that?”
“Yes, Mom!” Lala said eagerly, her voice suddenly full of energy again.
After the call ended, Lala sat still for a while, holding the phone to her chest as if she could keep her mother’s voice inside her heart forever. Then she looked up at Father and whispered, “That was the best surprise ever.”
Father chuckled and gently stroked her head. “Sometimes the best medicine is love,” he said wisely.
That evening, Lala felt different. She wasn’t fully recovered yet, but her spirit was lighter. She even asked for a small piece of fruit, which made Father smile proudly. She played a little with her toys and even managed to hop around the porch before getting tired again.
But this time, her tiredness didn’t feel heavy. It felt peaceful, because she knew she wasn’t alone. Mom cared, Dad cared, and her friends cared too. She realized she could rest without guilt and heal without fear.
The next morning, Lala woke up earlier than usual. She stretched, yawned, and peeked outside at the sunlight streaming through the trees. The birds chirped cheerfully, and for the first time in days, she felt like joining them in their song.
Father brought her a bowl of fruit, and Lala smiled as she ate it slowly but surely. “Mom will be happy when she hears I finished my breakfast,” she said proudly.
Indeed, she had learned something powerful from that simple phone call: health was important, but so was the warmth of connection. And even when she wasn’t at her strongest, she was deeply loved.
That day, Lala decided she would treasure the little things more—the sunshine on her face, the laughter of her friends, and the comforting sound of her mother’s voice. Because sometimes, the smallest gestures carry the biggest love.
And so, what began as an ordinary day turned into a memory she would never forget. A day when love traveled across distance, wrapped itself around her heart, and gave her strength to smile again.
