It was a sunny afternoon in the little village where the tall trees whispered to each other and the birds sang cheerful songs. The sky was clear, and the air was warm — a little too warm for some.
Lala, the sweet and curious baby monkey, was feeling uncomfortable. She had been playing outside all morning, swinging from branches, chasing butterflies, and rolling in the soft grass near the pond. At first, it had been fun, but now something didn’t feel right. Her little body felt itchy, and her fur was sticking to her skin. She scratched her belly with her tiny fingers and frowned.
“Ooo ooo… aah aah!” she whimpered softly, rubbing her back against a tree trunk. That helped a little, but not much.
Nearby, Thuy, the gentle young woman who looked after Lala and the other animals, was hanging laundry in the sun. She noticed Lala wriggling around and scratching her ears.
“Lala?” Thuy called, walking over with a concerned look. “What’s wrong, little one?”
Lala ran up to her and hugged her leg tightly, then tugged at her shirt, making soft sounds that Thuy had learned to understand. Lala wasn’t just playing — she was trying to say something.
Thuy crouched down and looked into Lala’s round, shiny eyes. “You feel hot, don’t you?” she asked gently. “And itchy too?”
Lala nodded quickly, then scratched her belly again and pointed to her back.
“Oh no,” Thuy said with a smile. “I think it’s time for a nice, cool bath!”
Lala’s eyes lit up. She loved baths — especially when Thuy gave them. They were filled with bubbles and gentle scrubs and lots of cuddles afterward.
Thuy picked up Lala and carried her into the little outdoor bathhouse behind the house. It was a cozy space with big clay pots full of clean water, handmade soap that smelled like lemongrass, and fluffy towels hanging on a bamboo rod.
As Thuy filled the tub with water, Lala sat on a soft towel, watching the bubbles grow. She reached out and popped one with her finger, giggling softly.
“Okay, my little itchy monkey,” Thuy said, lifting her gently into the warm water, “Let’s get you clean and comfy.”
Lala sighed in relief as the water touched her skin. The itchiness started to fade immediately. Thuy poured water over her fur slowly, careful not to get it in her eyes. Then, she lathered up the gentle soap in her hands and started scrubbing Lala’s back, belly, and arms.
“You’ve got some leaves stuck in here,” Thuy said playfully, pulling a little twig from Lala’s fur. “Were you rolling around in the grass again?”
Lala smiled sheepishly and covered her face with her hands. Thuy laughed and kissed her forehead.
As she scrubbed, Thuy found a few little red spots on Lala’s skin. “Hmm, you might have gotten a heat rash. The sun is strong today.”
She rinsed Lala thoroughly and then added a little cool water to the tub to help soothe her skin. “Don’t worry,” she whispered. “I’ll take special care of you.”
When the bath was done, Thuy wrapped Lala in a big, soft towel and held her close. Lala leaned into her, enjoying the warmth and the feeling of being safe.
Thuy carried her to a shaded spot under the banana trees and laid out a blanket. She sat down with Lala in her lap and gently patted her dry.
“Let’s put some coconut oil on your skin,” Thuy said, reaching into her little basket. “This will help with the rash.”
She rubbed the oil gently onto Lala’s arms, back, and legs. It smelled sweet and made Lala’s fur shine. The little monkey relaxed completely, eyes half-closed, while Thuy continued to care for her.
Afterward, Thuy combed her fur with a tiny bamboo brush. “There we go, so clean and fresh,” she said. “You’re my shiny little star now.”
Lala purred softly in response, hugging Thuy tightly. She felt much better — no more itchiness, no more heat. Just comfort, love, and the cool shade of the trees.
A little while later, Thuy brought out a bowl of fresh fruit. There were slices of ripe mango, juicy watermelon, and sweet banana. Lala squealed in delight and reached for a piece.
Thuy laughed. “I knew that would cheer you up.”
As Lala ate, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves above them. Some of the other animals — a curious puppy named Momo and a baby duck named Chíp — came to sit nearby. They watched quietly, sensing that Lala needed a peaceful moment.
“Do you feel better now?” Thuy asked, brushing a leaf out of Lala’s hair.
Lala nodded, mouth full of mango. She gave Thuy a happy little squeak and leaned her head against her shoulder
From that day on, Thuy made sure to keep a closer eye on how hot the weather got, especially for Lala. She made a special shady spot with a fan made of palm leaves and a cool mat for her to rest on during the warmest hours of the day.
And every few days, even if Lala wasn’t itchy, she’d gently tug on Thuy’s shirt and point to the bathhouse — just to enjoy another relaxing scrub and some special care.
It became their little routine — bath time, coconut oil, cuddles, and fresh fruit. Thuy didn’t mind at all. In fact, she loved those moments. Lala wasn’t just a baby monkey; she was family.
And Lala? She knew that no matter how itchy or hot or tired she felt, Thuy would always be there — with gentle hands, a kind smile, and love as warm as the sun itself.
