The morning sun streamed softly through the windows of the little wooden house, where the gentle rustling of leaves outside mixed with the cheerful chirping of birds. Inside, two baby monkeys, Subi and Lele, were just waking up. Their caretaker, Dad, had prepared two bottles of warm milk, setting them carefully on the table while humming a tune.
Lele, the smaller of the two, stretched her tiny arms and blinked her big curious eyes. She always woke up a little slower, still clinging to her soft blanket before she was ready to move. Subi, on the other hand, was full of energy from the moment he opened his eyes. Mischief sparkled in his gaze as he quickly noticed the two bottles waiting nearby.
“Milk!” Subi squealed happily, bouncing on his little feet.
Dad laughed softly. “Yes, Subi, and one for Lele too. Don’t rush. Both of you will have your turn.”
But Subi wasn’t very good at waiting. He rushed over, grabbed the nearest bottle, and began drinking noisily, his tiny hands clutching it tight. Lele had just reached out her hand, expecting hers, but then her eyes widened—because the bottle Subi had taken was actually hers.
“Oh no, Subi took Lele’s bottle!” Dad exclaimed, realizing what had happened.
Lele’s lips trembled. She looked at Subi, who was gulping happily, his cheeks puffed out, milk dribbling down his chin. Lele’s little hands fidgeted, and soon she let out a soft whimper. She wasn’t angry, but she was sad. That was her bottle, the one she had been waiting for.
Dad quickly tried to soothe her. “It’s okay, Lele. Don’t worry. Dad will get you another one.” He reached to prepare a fresh bottle of warm milk, but Lele’s eyes stayed fixed on Subi.
Subi, still drinking, suddenly realized that Lele wasn’t holding anything. He stopped for a second, his ears twitching, and stared at her. Lele’s eyes glistened with tears. Subi tilted his head, confused. He didn’t mean to make her sad—he just loved milk so much that he couldn’t wait.
Lele gave a tiny sniffle and hugged her blanket. That sight made Subi pause. He looked at the half-empty bottle in his hand, then back at Lele. His little monkey heart softened. Slowly, with hesitation, he waddled over and offered the bottle to her.
Lele blinked. She looked at the bottle, then at Subi. Subi pushed it closer, making a soft chirping sound, as if to say, “Here, you can have it.”
Dad smiled warmly at the moment. “Good boy, Subi. Sharing makes everyone happy.”
Lele hesitated at first but then gently took the bottle. She sipped slowly, her eyes still on Subi. Subi sat down next to her, watching intently, as though making sure she really was okay now. Dad brought him the second bottle, which was freshly warmed, and handed it over.
Now both baby monkeys sat side by side, drinking their milk together, their tails lightly brushing against each other. Peace had returned, but the story didn’t end there.
Later that morning, Dad took Subi and Lele outside to the little garden where the flowers bloomed and butterflies floated lazily in the air. The two monkeys loved playing outside, climbing low branches, and chasing each other around the yard.
Lele was usually quiet and thoughtful, often picking up leaves and inspecting them carefully, as though they were treasures. Subi was bold and playful, always looking for something new to try—even if it got him into trouble.
As they played, Subi spotted a bright yellow butterfly and immediately chased after it. He leapt and ran, laughing in his monkey way. But in his excitement, he accidentally bumped into Lele, making her drop a leaf she had been examining.
Lele frowned and gave a little squeak of protest. Subi stopped, turned around, and saw the unhappy look on her face. His ears twitched again. This morning he had already taken her bottle. Now he had interrupted her play.
He shuffled over, picked up the leaf, and handed it back to her. Lele accepted it quietly, and after a pause, she reached out her little hand to pat Subi’s head. That was her way of saying she forgave him.
Dad, watching from the porch, chuckled softly. “These two… they’re learning about kindness every day.”
By noon, the baby monkeys were hungry again. Dad prepared their lunch of mashed bananas and fruit pieces, placing two small bowls in front of them. Lele sat patiently, waiting. Subi, as always, jumped in eagerly, taking big bites and smearing banana all over his face.
But then, he noticed something—Lele’s bowl had a slightly bigger banana slice than his. Subi’s eyes lit up with mischief. He reached over, trying to grab it.
“Oh no, Subi!” Dad warned, just as Subi’s fingers brushed the piece.
Lele pulled her bowl closer and looked at him with wide eyes. For a moment, it seemed like Subi would snatch it away, just like he had with the milk bottle. But then, he froze. He remembered Lele’s sad face from earlier. He remembered how it felt when she looked at him with tears in her eyes.
Slowly, Subi pulled his hand back. Instead, he picked up a small slice from his own bowl and dropped it into Lele’s.
Dad clapped his hands, praising him. “Good boy, Subi! That’s sharing. That’s love.”
Lele blinked in surprise, then gave a tiny smile. She reached out and placed the big banana slice in the middle, where both could share it. The two monkeys leaned in, eating together happily.
As the day wound down, Dad rocked them gently in his arms, humming softly as the sunset painted the sky orange and pink. Subi snuggled close on one side, Lele on the other, their eyes growing heavy with sleep.
Before drifting off, Subi reached out his tiny hand and touched Lele’s. She opened her eyes slightly and squeezed it back.
Dad whispered, “You two are learning. Sometimes mistakes happen, but love and sharing make it right.”
The memory of that morning’s cry—“Oh no, Subi took Lele’s bottle!”—was already fading, replaced by warmth and trust between the two baby monkeys.
They fell asleep, their little breaths steady and calm, dreaming of more adventures to come.
