
In a cheerful little village, nestled between rice fields and shady bamboo groves, life had a rhythm that felt like a song. Children played in the dirt roads, roosters crowed, and the village market buzzed with voices each morning. In one modest home lived a kindhearted family that had recently welcomed the most precious gift of allâa newborn baby.
Mom, though overjoyed, was also tired. Giving birth had taken much of her strength. She spent her days caring for the infant, rocking the cradle, and smiling through her exhaustion. Dad did his best to help, but there was another pair of surprising caretakers who wanted to do something unbelievable for Mom: CUTIS, the clever little monkey, and Yen Nhi, the bright-eyed daughter of the family.
The Plan to Surprise Mom

One sunny morning, Mom sat on the porch humming softly to the newborn. Yen Nhi watched quietly, noticing how pale and tired her mother looked. CUTIS sat beside them, munching on a peanut, but his big brown eyes followed Mom too.
âCUTIS,â Yen Nhi whispered, tugging gently at his tail. âMom takes care of everyone, but who takes care of her? She just gave birthâshe needs rest, food, and love.â
CUTIS tilted his head. âEee-eee?â
Yen Nhi smiled. âLetâs do something for her. Letâs go to the market together and bring back something special.â
CUTISâs ears perked up. He clapped his tiny hands and let out an excited chatter. He understood perfectly. For once, this wasnât about mischiefâit was about love.
Setting Off for the Market


Yen Nhi packed a little cloth bag and tied her hair back neatly. âWeâll need fruits, maybe some herbs for soup, and something sweet to cheer her up,â she planned aloud. CUTIS listened, tail swishing with excitement.
Dad chuckled when he saw them preparing. âAre you two really going to the market on your own?â he asked.
âYes!â Yen Nhi said proudly. âWeâll take care of Mom today. Donât tell herâitâs a surprise!â
CUTIS squeaked in agreement, jumping onto Yen Nhiâs shoulder like a little assistant. Together, they set off down the dusty road, the bag bouncing at Yen Nhiâs side, the morning sun glowing above them.
The Buzz of the Market

The market was alive with color and sound. Vendors called out their pricesââFresh mangoes! Sweet bananas! Herbs for health!ââwhile chickens strutted around and children darted between stalls.
As soon as they arrived, CUTIS leapt off Yen Nhiâs shoulder, running ahead. He waved his little hands like a miniature merchant, making people laugh. Everyone in the village knew CUTIS; he was famous for his antics, but today he seemed unusually serious.
Yen Nhi giggled. âCome on, CUTIS. Weâre not here to playâwe have work to do.â
The villagers watched with amusement as the girl and monkey began shopping together, as if they were a team on a mission.
Shopping for Mom


First, they went to the fruit stall.
Yen Nhi carefully picked ripe mangoes, papayas, and a few apples. âThese are soft and sweetâperfect for Mom.â
CUTIS, not wanting to be left out, grabbed a banana, sniffed it, then placed it proudly into the basket. The vendor laughed. âLooks like CUTIS knows whatâs good!â
Next, they stopped at the herb stall. Yen Nhi asked for ginseng leaves, ginger, and a handful of traditional herbs used to make healing soups for new mothers. CUTIS, meanwhile, picked up a bundle of lemongrass and hugged it like a treasure until Yen Nhi placed it safely in the basket.
Finally, they went to a stall selling sweets. Yen Nhi chose a small bag of sesame candies. âMom always loved these,â she said softly. CUTIS picked one tooâbut immediately stuffed it into his mouth, cheeks puffing like a balloon. The vendor roared with laughter and gave them an extra piece, saying, âFor your momâtell her itâs from us!â
By the time they finished, their basket was full of fruits, herbs, and treats. CUTIS carried the small bag proudly, waddling beside Yen Nhi, determined not to drop it.
The Special Idea


As they walked home, Yen Nhi paused. âWait, CUTIS. We can make this even more special.â
She looked around, spotted a patch of wildflowers by the roadside, and began gathering them. âA gift isnât just foodâitâs also love. Letâs make Mom a flower bouquet!â
CUTIS immediately joined in, plucking flowers carefully with his tiny hands. He sniffed one, sneezed dramatically, then tucked it behind his ear. Yen Nhi laughed so hard she nearly dropped her basket.
Together, they tied the flowers into a beautiful bouquet with a ribbon Yen Nhi had in her hair. CUTIS held it proudly, his chest puffed out as though he had crafted the masterpiece himself.
Returning Home

When they finally reached the house, Mom was resting on the porch, the newborn cradled in her arms. She looked up in surprise as Yen Nhi and CUTIS came running, their arms full of treasures.
âMom!â Yen Nhi exclaimed. âWe went to the market for you!â
CUTIS bounced forward, thrusting the flower bouquet into Momâs lap with an excited squeak. Then he opened the bag of fruits and placed each piece carefully beside her, as though he were a grand chef presenting a feast.
Momâs eyes filled with tears. âOh, my sweet children,â she whispered. âYou thought of me?â
Yen Nhi hugged her tightly. âYou always take care of us, Mom. Today we wanted to take care of you.â
The baby monkey, who had been left behind, waddled over curiously and clapped when he saw the bouquet, as if praising CUTIS and Yen Nhi for their brilliant plan.
A Touching Meal

That afternoon, Mom prepared a simple soup using the herbs Yen Nhi had bought, while Dad helped cut the fruits. CUTIS sat proudly on the table, munching his banana but keeping an eye on the newborn in the cradle.
When the soup was ready, Mom tasted it and smiled. âThis⌠this is exactly what I needed. You two gave me strength.â
CUTIS squealed happily, patting his belly as though he too had cooked the meal. Yen Nhi giggled, placing the flower bouquet in a jar near Momâs bed.
The family ate together, the newborn sleeping peacefully nearby, while CUTIS stole bits of mango and candy, earning laughs from everyone.
The Unbelievable Bond

That night, as Mom lay down to rest, she gazed at the flowers, the fruits, and her childrenâhuman and monkey alike. Her heart was overflowing with love.
âI thought I was the one caring for all of you,â she whispered softly, âbut today you showed me that love goes both ways.â
Yen Nhi cuddled beside her, and CUTIS curled up at the foot of the bed like a loyal guard. The baby monkey, never one to miss out, snuggled close too.
In that quiet, warm moment, Mom realized something extraordinary: family wasnât just about blood. It was about care, kindness, and the unbelievable ways love found expressionâeven in the form of a mischievous little monkey carrying flowers and fruits from the market.
The Memory That Lasted
The villagers never forgot the story. They told each other, âDid you hear? Yen Nhi and CUTIS went to the market togetherânot for fun, but to take care of Mom after she gave birth!â
âUnbelievable!â another replied. âThat monkey has the heart of a child, and that child has the wisdom of an angel.â
And so the story lived on, touching everyone who heard itâa reminder that love is shown not just in grand gestures, but in small, thoughtful acts, carried out with pure hearts.
Mom kept the memory close forever, always recalling the day CUTIS and Yen Nhi walked proudly into the house with fruits, herbs, sweets, and flowersâgifts of love that restored her strength and filled her with joy.