The golden morning sunlight streamed into the small village home where laughter, warmth, and love always filled the air. CUTIS, the clever little monkey with endless curiosity, was already awake before everyone else. He sat quietly on the balcony, his chin resting on his tiny hands, eyes full of thought.
Mom, Yen Nhi, and baby monkey were still asleep, but CUTIS had been thinking all night. Lately, he had noticed Mom working harder than ever — cleaning, cooking, selling fruit at the market, taking care of the whole family. Even though she never complained, CUTIS could see the tired lines on her face, the sighs she tried to hide.
And that’s when a wild, funny, and touching idea popped into his clever little head.
“I’ll help her!” he thought proudly. “I’ll get a job!”
He puffed out his tiny chest, looking determined. CUTIS had seen Mom and other villagers go to work every morning, carrying baskets or tools. He didn’t know exactly what a “job application” was — but he knew it meant helping and earning something important.
That was all he needed to know.
So that morning, as the rooster crowed, CUTIS quietly grabbed a small leaf, rolled it like a piece of paper, and slipped out the door with purpose shining in his eyes.
The Secret Plan Begins 🐒💼
The sun had just risen when CUTIS trotted down the village road. He wore his tiny red scarf — his “lucky charm” — and carried a banana in one hand (for energy, of course). He was ready for his first-ever job hunt!
He passed by the fruit market first. Auntie Mai, who ran a small mango stall, waved at him. “Good morning, CUTIS! Off to play already?”
CUTIS grinned and pointed at her baskets of fruit. He mimed lifting and carrying them, then tapped his chest proudly. Auntie Mai laughed, “Oh, you want to work? You’re too little, CUTIS!”
But CUTIS didn’t give up. He picked up a small basket and started arranging the mangoes neatly, sorting the ripe ones from the green. His tiny hands moved fast and careful.
“Wow,” Auntie Mai said, impressed. “You’re better than my nephew!”
She gave CUTIS a mango as a “thank-you,” but CUTIS shook his head. He pointed at her wallet, then at himself — he wanted real payment.
Auntie Mai burst out laughing. “You’re serious! Alright, Mr. Worker, here’s your salary.” She handed him a few coins. CUTIS took them proudly, slipped them into his banana pouch, bowed politely, and hurried off.
His first job — successful!
The Job Hunt Continues 🚜🍌
Encouraged by his victory, CUTIS kept going. He helped an old man wash his bicycle, swept the front of the temple, and even scared away birds from the rice field for Farmer Danh. Every time, people laughed at how smart and hardworking he was.
By noon, CUTIS had collected a few coins, a handful of peanuts, and one beautiful flower. He tied them together in a leaf pouch and patted it proudly.
“Mom will be so happy!” he thought, his little heart bursting with excitement. “Now I can help her buy food and medicine!”
But as he walked home, something unexpected happened — he saw a poster on the wall outside the village café. It said (in big, bold letters):
HELP WANTED — Looking for Assistant! Must be responsible, friendly, and quick!
CUTIS gasped. “That’s me!”
He marched straight toward the café, where the owner — a cheerful man named Mr. Minh — was cleaning tables.
CUTIS climbed onto one of the chairs and thumped his chest proudly. Mr. Minh laughed, “Oh no, not another prank, right?”
CUTIS shook his head and pointed at the poster, then at himself. He even mimed cleaning and carrying trays.
“You… want to apply for the job?” Mr. Minh asked, eyes wide.
CUTIS nodded eagerly. He pulled out his leaf-paper “application” and placed it on the counter. On it, he had drawn bananas, hearts, and a smiley face — his version of a résumé.
Mr. Minh chuckled until he nearly cried. “CUTIS, you’re unbelievable! But you know what? Let’s see how you do.”
CUTIS the Café Worker ☕🐵
Mr. Minh gave him a small apron and a job: cleaning tables. CUTIS worked seriously, wiping every table perfectly clean, even arranging the chairs neatly afterward. The customers were delighted.
“Oh my goodness!” one woman said. “A monkey worker! He’s adorable!”
Someone else gave him a small cookie, and another snapped photos, cheering him on. CUTIS bowed politely after every task, his tail swaying with pride.
When a little girl dropped her drink, CUTIS quickly fetched a towel and cleaned the spill before anyone asked. The crowd clapped.
Mr. Minh couldn’t stop smiling. “You’re hired, CUTIS! You’ve got more dedication than most humans!”
CUTIS puffed up his chest again, saluted, and gave a proud little squeak.
By the end of the day, CUTIS had earned another handful of coins, some snacks, and even a certificate from Mr. Minh that said:
“Employee of the Day — CUTIS, the Smartest Monkey in Town!”
He held it like a treasure and ran home, his heart glowing. But he had no idea what kind of unbelievable reaction was waiting for him there.
Mom’s Shock 😯
It was already evening when CUTIS arrived. The sky turned golden, and smoke rose from the cooking fire. Mom was pacing around the yard, worry etched on her face.
“Where were you, CUTIS?” she said as soon as she saw him. “I’ve been looking for you all day!”
CUTIS quickly dropped his pouch on the floor and opened it — revealing the coins, peanuts, flower, and certificate. He pointed proudly at each item, miming work gestures — sweeping, cleaning, serving.
Mom blinked. “Wait… you worked today?”
CUTIS nodded seriously, placing the coins in her hand.
For a long moment, Mom was silent. Then her eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, CUTIS…” she whispered, her voice trembling. “You went to work… for me?”
CUTIS nodded again, smiling softly. He touched her cheek and patted her belly gently — she was expecting a baby soon. He wanted her to rest, not worry.
Mom knelt down and hugged him tightly. “You sweet, crazy, wonderful monkey,” she said through her tears. “You’re part of this family… not because you work, but because you love us.”
Yen Nhi ran over, eyes wide. “Mom, what happened?”
Mom showed her the coins and certificate. “CUTIS went to apply for jobs today!”
Yen Nhi gasped, then laughed so hard she almost fell over. “You’re kidding! He actually got hired?”
Mom nodded, smiling now. “Yes, and he earned more than I did this morning!”
They both burst out laughing. CUTIS, happy to see everyone smiling, climbed up on Mom’s shoulder and held out his certificate proudly for baby monkey to see.
The Next Day — A Surprise Reward 🎉
The following morning, something magical happened. Word about CUTIS’s “job adventure” had spread across the village. People came by to congratulate him, bringing fruit, biscuits, and even a small toy broom.
Mr. Minh visited too, smiling widely. “Here’s a little gift for your hardworking helper,” he said, handing Mom a basket of treats. “CUTIS is welcome at my café anytime!”
Mom smiled warmly. “Thank you. I still can’t believe it.”
CUTIS sat proudly in his little chair, munching a banana, while everyone clapped for him. But when Mom leaned close and whispered, “No more secret jobs, okay? You almost gave me a heart attack,” CUTIS covered his mouth shyly and nodded.
Still, in his heart, he was proud. He hadn’t just earned coins — he had shown love, courage, and responsibility.
That night, as they sat together under the stars, Mom stroked his fur gently. “You may be small, CUTIS,” she said softly, “but your heart is bigger than anyone’s I know.”
CUTIS snuggled closer, his eyes closing with happiness. He didn’t need another job — he already had the most important one in the world: being part of a family that loved him endlessly.
And so, in that tiny jungle village, the story spread of a little monkey who secretly went to apply for a job — not for fame, not for fun, but out of pure love.
Mom’s reaction? Shocked, amazed, and deeply touched — because CUTIS didn’t just work for money. He worked for love. 😯💖🐒
