The sun rose slowly over the quiet forest village, painting the trees in warm orange light. Normally, the morning would be filled with happy monkey chatter and laughter. But this time, something felt different — unusually still, strangely quiet. CUTIS, the smart and gentle young monkey, noticed right away. His little eyes searched every corner, his ears twitching for familiar sounds.
Where was Mom?
Every morning, she would call them for breakfast — her gentle voice echoing through the trees as she handed out bananas and fruits. But today, only the wind answered. CUTIS looked at the small baby monkey beside him, who was clutching his tail nervously. The baby’s big eyes were filled with confusion.
“Mom…?” the baby whimpered softly.
CUTIS’s heart sank. Their mother was pregnant and due to give birth soon. Last night, she had looked tired, holding her belly with slow movements. CUTIS remembered her saying she needed to visit the doctor at the animal care center in the nearby village. But she hadn’t come back.
He gently lifted the baby monkey onto his back. “Come on,” he said softly, his eyes determined but sad. “We’ll find her.”
The Search Begins 🐒💔
With the baby clinging tightly to his fur, CUTIS began walking through the forest. The path was familiar, one their mother often took. The morning dew sparkled on the leaves, and the air smelled of wet earth and flowers. But CUTIS barely noticed. His mind was full of worry.
He called out in soft, echoing cries, “Mom! Mom, where are you?”
Only the sound of rustling leaves answered him. The baby monkey started whimpering again, pressing its tiny face into CUTIS’s neck. CUTIS reached up and patted it gently. “Don’t cry, little one. We’ll find her. I promise.”
As they moved deeper into the forest, they met a few of their monkey friends — OG and ToTo among them. They saw CUTIS carrying the baby and hurried over.
“Where’s your mom?” OG asked.
“She went to the doctor yesterday,” CUTIS said quietly. “But she hasn’t come back.”
ToTo’s eyes widened. “That’s strange! She never stays away at night.”
CUTIS nodded. “That’s why I have to find her. The baby’s scared… and so am I.”
OG and ToTo offered to help, but CUTIS shook his head. “You stay with the others. If she comes back, make sure she knows we’re looking.”
With that, CUTIS and the baby continued their journey alone.
A Lonely Journey 😢
The forest slowly gave way to open fields. CUTIS and the baby passed a small stream where their mother loved to drink water. He stopped, hoping to find some trace of her scent — maybe footprints or broken branches. But there was nothing.
The baby sniffled softly, its tiny arms tightening around CUTIS’s neck.
“Don’t worry,” CUTIS whispered. “She’s strong. She’ll be okay.”
The heat of the afternoon began to build. CUTIS found shade under a banana tree and let the baby rest. He plucked a few bananas and shared them, though he barely ate. His stomach twisted with worry.
He remembered how their mom used to feed them together — always smiling, always gentle. She would say, “CUTIS, one day you’ll have to take care of your little brother. Be strong for him.”
Now, those words echoed painfully in his heart. He looked at the baby, who was half-asleep, clutching his fur. “I’ll take care of you,” he whispered. “Just like Mom said.”
The Village Trail 🚶♂️🐵
By late afternoon, CUTIS reached the dusty path leading toward the human village. He had never gone this far before. The smells were strange — smoke, cooked food, soap, and medicine. The sounds were different too: dogs barking, children laughing, motorbikes passing by.
The baby stirred nervously, hiding behind CUTIS’s shoulder. But CUTIS kept moving forward, step by step.
He reached the gate of the small veterinary clinic. Through the fence, he could see a few people and animals. A kind nurse noticed the two monkeys standing outside and came closer. CUTIS tilted his head, his eyes pleading.
The nurse smiled softly. “Oh, you must be looking for someone,” she said gently. She disappeared for a moment, then returned with a familiar sight — their mother!
She was sitting in a small cage for safety, her belly wrapped in a soft towel. She looked weak but safe. Her eyes brightened immediately when she saw CUTIS and the baby.
“Mom!” CUTIS cried, pressing his hands against the fence. The baby squealed in joy, bouncing on his back.
The mother reached out weakly through the bars, touching CUTIS’s fur. Tears of relief filled his eyes. “I thought we lost you,” he murmured softly.
The nurse explained kindly that the mother had come to the clinic because she was in pain. The doctor had kept her for rest and safety. “She’ll be okay,” the nurse said. “She just needs to stay a few more days.”
CUTIS nodded, though his heart ached. He wanted to stay with her, but he knew she needed care.
The Wait 😔
For the next two days, CUTIS returned to the clinic every morning with the baby on his back. He would sit by the fence, watching their mother rest. The baby would reach out to her, and she would gently touch its tiny hand. CUTIS brought her fruits and leaves every day — his small way of helping.
At night, he and the baby slept nearby under a tree. The forest seemed quiet without her voice, but CUTIS stayed strong. He told the baby bedtime stories — the same ones their mother used to tell them. He spoke softly about the stars, the trees, and the promise that they would all be together again soon.
“Tomorrow,” he whispered one night, “Mom will be better. We’ll take her home.”
The Reunion ❤️🐒
On the third morning, CUTIS woke to the sound of the clinic gate opening. The nurse stepped out, smiling warmly. “She’s ready to go home,” she said.
CUTIS’s heart leapt. He hurried forward as the nurse gently opened the cage. Their mother stepped out slowly, looking tired but happy. CUTIS ran to her, hugging her tightly. The baby squealed and jumped onto her lap, burying its face in her fur.
It was a beautiful, emotional reunion — the kind that made even the nurse smile with tears in her eyes. CUTIS nuzzled her cheek softly, and she stroked his head with love.
“Let’s go home,” he whispered.
As they walked back through the fields, the sun was bright and golden again. The forest seemed alive with the sounds of joy — birds singing, leaves rustling, monkeys calling from the trees. The troop cheered when they saw her return. OG and ToTo jumped up and down, clapping their hands in excitement.
CUTIS watched his mom rest under her favorite tree, the baby cuddled beside her. For the first time in days, he felt peace. He had kept his promise. He had protected his little brother and found their mother again.
That night, as the stars glowed above and the forest quieted, CUTIS sat beside them, holding the baby close. Their mom looked at him lovingly and whispered, “You’ve grown into a true protector, CUTIS. I’m proud of you.”
CUTIS smiled shyly. “I just did what you taught me, Mom.”
And as the baby snuggled between them, fast asleep, CUTIS looked up at the moon and whispered, “Thank you.”
It had been a hard journey — full of worry, fear, and exhaustion — but it ended with love and hope. CUTIS had proven once again that even the smallest heart can hold the greatest courage.
From that day on, he never left his mother’s side. And whenever she went to the doctor again, he made sure to go with her — just in case. Because for CUTIS, family meant everything. ❤️🐵
