It was a bright and sunny morning on the farm, and little Sumi woke up full of excitement. She had watched the baby monkeys climb trees the day before and was determined to try it herself. The tall mango tree near the chicken coop looked so inviting, its green leaves shining in the sunlight and branches full of juicy fruit. She thought, If the monkeys can do it, I can too!
Sumi was always adventurous. She loved exploring, running around barefoot, and discovering new things. Her mother had told her many times, “Be careful, Sumi. The trees can be slippery after the morning dew.” But when curiosity and excitement filled her heart, she often forgot warnings.
That morning, Bon and Lala, the two baby monkeys, were already playing on the lower branches. They were swinging joyfully, chirping, and teasing each other with tiny squeaks. Sumi clapped her hands and called out, “Wait for me, Bon! Lala! I’m coming up too!”
Bon turned his little head, his round eyes blinking with curiosity. He jumped to a higher branch and squealed as if saying, “Come on, Sumi, but be careful!”
Sumi grabbed a low branch and started to climb. The bark felt rough but sturdy under her small hands. The monkeys watched her curiously. Her little feet found spots on the trunk, and she moved up slowly. Every time she reached a new branch, she laughed proudly.
“Look! I’m doing it!” she shouted, her voice full of triumph.
Bon clapped his tiny hands, and Lala chattered excitedly. They were so used to climbing that they made it look easy. Sumi, however, was not as nimble. The branches were a little slippery, and she was wearing her favorite pink sandals—definitely not climbing shoes!
Still, she kept going. She wanted to reach the same branch where Bon was sitting, munching on a half-ripe mango. Her eyes sparkled at the sight of the fruit. She stretched one hand toward the branch above her.
That’s when it happened.
Her right foot slipped on a wet patch of bark. Her hand tried to grip the branch tightly, but it was smooth. Before she could react, Sumi slipped and fell.
The world seemed to spin for a moment. Leaves rustled loudly, and tiny bits of bark flew around her as she fell through the branches. It wasn’t a long drop—only a few feet—but for little Sumi, it felt like forever.
She landed on the soft ground with a thud. “Ouch!” she cried, rubbing her elbow. Tears welled up in her eyes. She wasn’t seriously hurt, but the shock of the fall scared her more than the pain.
Bon immediately scrambled down the tree, squealing loudly in worry. Lala followed, leaping from branch to branch until both monkeys were beside her. Bon gently touched Sumi’s knee and made a soft cooing sound, as if to ask, “Are you okay?”
Sumi sniffled and smiled weakly through her tears. “I’m okay… I just fell.”
Bon tilted his head and then wrapped his tiny arms around her arm, giving her a little hug. Lala copied him, pressing her furry head against her shoulder. Their warm gestures made Sumi laugh softly. “You two are so sweet,” she said. “Thank you.”
Soon, Cutis, the farmer, came running when he heard the commotion. “Sumi! What happened?” he asked, kneeling beside her.
“I was climbing the tree like Bon and Lala… but I slipped,” Sumi said, looking down shyly.
Cutis checked her arms and legs carefully. “You’re lucky, little one,” he said kindly. “No broken bones, just a small bruise.” Then he turned to the monkeys. “And you two! You should keep your climbing tricks to yourselves next time.”
Bon squeaked and covered his face with his tiny hands, almost like he understood. Cutis chuckled softly. “Alright, alright. I know you didn’t mean any harm.”
After that, Sumi sat under the tree while Cutis brought her a cool towel and some mango juice. Bon and Lala stayed close, refusing to leave her side. They kept making funny faces and gentle noises to cheer her up. Slowly, her sadness turned into laughter again.
Later that afternoon, after she felt better, Sumi looked at the tree again. It didn’t seem as tall or scary anymore—but she knew she had to be more careful next time. She said to Bon, “Maybe tomorrow you can teach me how to climb the right way, okay?”
Bon chirped and jumped a little, as if agreeing to be her climbing coach.
The next day, Cutis helped her prepare. He found her a small pair of gloves for grip and told her to wear sneakers instead of sandals. Bon and Lala watched curiously as Sumi practiced holding onto a low branch safely.
Step by step, she learned. Bon climbed up slowly beside her, showing her where to place her hands. Lala followed, demonstrating how to balance her weight. It was almost like a little climbing lesson led by monkeys!
Sumi listened carefully this time. She moved slower and paid attention to her footing. The monkeys chirped in encouragement every time she reached a new branch. Cutis watched from below with a proud smile.
After a few tries, she reached the branch where Bon usually sat. “I did it!” she exclaimed. Her voice was full of pure joy.
Bon squealed and jumped up and down, waving his arms happily. Lala plucked a small mango and handed it to Sumi as a reward. She laughed, taking the fruit. “Thank you, Lala. I guess I’m part monkey now!”
They all sat together on the branch, sharing mangoes in the golden afternoon light. The wind rustled the leaves gently, and the farm felt peaceful again.
From that day, Sumi never climbed recklessly again. She learned that even fun things need patience and care. But she also learned something more beautiful—that friendship can help you get back up when you fall.
Every time she looked at the mango tree afterward, she remembered that lesson. She had fallen once, but she had also learned courage, teamwork, and trust. And Bon and Lala—her funny, loving little friends—were always there to cheer her on.
Weeks later, when the season changed and new mangoes began to ripen, Cutis saw something that made him laugh out loud. There was Sumi, climbing slowly and carefully with Bon and Lala beside her—each step measured, each movement calm.
“Be careful, my little climbers!” Cutis called out.
Sumi smiled down at him. “Don’t worry, Uncle Cutis! I’m a pro now!”
Bon squeaked proudly as if saying, Yes, she is! and Lala twirled on the branch beside them. Together, they reached the top, where the sweetest mangoes grew.
Sumi plucked one, bit into it, and let the juice drip down her chin. “This,” she said happily, “is the taste of success.”
Bon clapped, Lala danced, and Cutis laughed. The fall had turned into a lesson, the tears into laughter, and that little accident into one of the sweetest memories of their farm life.
From that day forward, everyone on the farm called Sumi the brave little climber, and whenever she passed the mango tree, Bon would swing down and give her a playful salute.
Even though she had once slipped and fallen, Sumi’s spirit had only grown stronger—proof that sometimes, falling down is just the first step to climbing higher. ❤️🐒🌳
