In a small green valley, where tall coconut trees swayed with the wind and the river sparkled under the warm sun, lived a clever little monkey named CUTIS. CUTIS was known by all the villagers and animals as the smart monkey. Unlike the others who spent their days only climbing, eating, and playing, CUTIS always thought about how to make life safer and more fun for his family.
One morning, as the birds sang their cheerful songs, CUTIS was sitting on a branch with a serious expression. Beside him was the newest member of the troop — a tiny baby monkey with big round eyes and a fluffy little tail. This baby monkey, still learning to balance on the trees, was full of curiosity but also very vulnerable.
“Baby,” CUTIS said in his gentle but playful tone, “the jungle is fun, but it can also be dangerous. You must learn how to protect yourself. Let me teach you.”
The baby monkey tilted his head, blinking, and clapped his little hands together. He had no idea what CUTIS was talking about, but he loved to imitate everything his older brother did.
Lesson One: Climbing for Safety
CUTIS leapt gracefully to another tree and waved.
“Look, Baby! If danger comes, like a snake or a barking dog from the village, the fastest way to be safe is to climb up high.”
The baby monkey jumped after him, but his little feet slipped, and he dangled awkwardly from a branch. CUTIS rushed down, held him up, and laughed.
“Don’t worry! Everyone falls in the beginning. Watch me carefully.”
CUTIS demonstrated slowly this time: gripping with both hands, balancing with his tail, then hopping lightly from branch to branch. The baby monkey copied him step by step. At first, he wobbled, but soon he managed to climb two branches up without falling.
“Yay!” CUTIS clapped. “You’re learning fast. Always remember, the higher you go, the safer you are from ground danger.”
The baby monkey giggled, proud of his little achievement.
Lesson Two: Spotting Danger Early
Next, CUTIS led the baby to a clearing near the banana grove. “Now,” he whispered, “another way to protect yourself is to use your eyes and ears.”
He crouched low, holding his tiny hands behind his ears like big cups.
“Listen! If you hear rustling in the grass, it might be a snake. If you hear barking, it’s the dogs. If you hear footsteps, it could be the villagers. Always notice before they notice you.”
The baby monkey copied him, tilting his ears in every direction. Suddenly, they both heard a rustling. The baby jumped in surprise and clung to CUTIS.
CUTIS chuckled. “Don’t be scared — that’s just a lizard! But good reaction. You must always pay attention.”
To make the lesson fun, CUTIS turned it into a game. He hid behind trees, making noises, and the baby had to guess: “Snake? Dog? Or CUTIS?” Every time the baby guessed right, CUTIS gave him a small fruit as a reward.
By the end of the game, the baby monkey was already showing more confidence, standing tall instead of hiding behind his brother.
Lesson Three: Protecting Bananas (Very Important!)
One thing monkeys love most is bananas, and CUTIS explained that protecting their food was also part of protecting themselves.
“Baby, when you eat, you must always check your surroundings. Food attracts not only friends but also enemies.”
He picked a banana, peeled it, and set it down. Then he whispered, “Watch.”
As the baby stared, a cheeky squirrel rushed toward the banana. CUTIS quickly waved his arms, stomped his feet, and shouted. The squirrel squeaked and ran away.
“See? You don’t need to fight. You just need to look big and strong, and the intruder will leave.”
The baby tried the same thing. When another small bird hopped near his fruit, he puffed his chest, waved his arms, and made a funny squeaky sound. The bird flew away, and the baby was so proud he danced in circles, holding his banana like a trophy.
CUTIS laughed so hard that he nearly fell off the branch. “Perfect! You are learning to be brave.”
Lesson Four: Running and Hiding
After lunch, the two monkeys sat in the shade. CUTIS spoke in a serious tone.
“Sometimes, Baby, you cannot fight or climb fast enough. That’s when you must run and hide.”
He showed the baby secret paths through the bushes and tiny holes under fallen trees where monkeys could squeeze in but dogs couldn’t. He even taught him how to stay still, blending in with the leaves.
To practice, CUTIS played the role of the “big scary predator.” He growled and chased the baby. At first, the little monkey panicked and ran in circles, but after a few tries, he found the hiding spot under a tree trunk. CUTIS pretended to look around, scratching his head dramatically.
“Where is he? Did he disappear? Hmmm?” CUTIS teased.
The baby monkey popped out, squealing with laughter, and hugged CUTIS tightly.
Lesson Five: Teamwork
Finally, CUTIS explained the most important lesson:
“Baby, protecting yourself is not just about being strong alone. We monkeys live together. When you are in trouble, shout loudly, and the whole troop will come to help.”
He demonstrated the monkey alarm call — a loud “whoop, whoop, whoop!” that echoed through the forest. Soon, other monkeys nearby answered back.
The baby monkey’s eyes widened in amazement. He tried his own little “whoop,” though it sounded more like a squeaky toy. Still, CUTIS hugged him proudly.
“Good! One day your call will be strong too.”
A Funny Surprise
That evening, as the sun set, CUTIS and the baby were walking back to their family when suddenly, a goat from the village wandered into the forest. Curious, the baby monkey thought it was another “predator” and immediately puffed his chest, waved his arms, and shouted just like CUTIS had taught him.
The goat, startled, bleated loudly and ran away.
CUTIS burst out laughing so hard that he rolled on the grass. “Baby, you scared the poor goat! You are a quick learner.”
The baby, proud of himself, clapped his hands and jumped around. From that day forward, he always remembered CUTIS’s lessons: climb high, listen carefully, protect food, run and hide, and rely on the troop.
The Message
The jungle was still full of challenges, but with CUTIS as his guide, the baby monkey grew braver and smarter each day. The villagers who sometimes watched from afar couldn’t help but laugh and admire how the clever older monkey patiently taught the little one with so much love.
CUTIS was not just a smart monkey. He was also a caring brother, a teacher, and a protector. And the baby monkey, with his endless giggles and funny attempts at bravery, was proof that learning can be both serious and full of joy.
So funny and so cute — that’s how everyone described the sight of smart monkey CUTIS teaching the baby monkey how to protect himself. It was not only adorable but also a lesson for all: in life, wisdom, love, and laughter are the strongest forms of protection.
