The afternoon sun was soft and golden, shining through the trees that surrounded the little monkey family’s home. The air was peaceful, filled with the sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves. Under the shade of a tall mango tree, baby monkey Xuxu sat quietly, scratching her tiny head with both hands.
Her mother, Mama Lala, noticed it right away. She was sitting nearby, gently grooming another young monkey, when she turned and saw Xuxu’s little face scrunch up with discomfort. “Xuxu, what’s wrong, my baby?” Mama Lala asked, tilting her head.
Xuxu pouted. “Mama… my head itchy! So itchy!” she said in a small, whiny voice. She rubbed her head so hard that her soft fur stuck up in messy little tufts.
Mama Lala sighed gently, already guessing what was happening. “Ahh, you have lice again, don’t you, my little one?” she said softly.
Xuxu blinked in confusion. “Lice? What’s lice, Mama?”
Mama chuckled. “Tiny bugs, sweetheart. They love hiding in fur. Don’t worry, Mama will take care of it.”
But before Mama Lala could move closer, you — the kind human friend who often visited their family — arrived at the clearing. You were carrying a small basket of fruit for them, as you did every day. Xuxu’s eyes brightened immediately when she saw you. “Yay! You came!” she squealed, running toward you.
You crouched down, smiling. “Hey there, Xuxu! What’s going on? You look… a little uncomfortable.”
“She has lice,” Mama Lala explained gently, stepping forward. “Her head’s been itchy all morning.”
You set the basket down and smiled warmly. “Oh, poor Xuxu. Don’t worry, I can help.”
Xuxu tilted her head curiously. “You can help? How?”
You laughed softly. “I’ll pick the lice for you, little one. It won’t hurt — I promise.”
Mama Lala nodded approvingly. “She trusts you. Please help her. You’re very gentle.”
You sat down on the soft grass, and Xuxu climbed carefully into your lap. She curled up like a small child, resting her tiny hands on your knees. Her fur smelled faintly of wild fruit and sunshine. You could feel her little heart beating — fast at first, but calming as she realized she was safe.
“Okay, let’s start,” you said softly, using your fingers to part her fine brown fur. Sure enough, you spotted a few small white specks clinging to the strands. “Just a few of them. We’ll get rid of them all.”
Xuxu watched you with wide, curious eyes. “They’re really there?” she asked.
“Yes,” you said, “but they’re very tiny. You can’t see them easily. That’s why you need someone to help you.”
Mama Lala smiled, watching the scene with affection. Grooming — or picking lice — was more than just cleaning for monkeys; it was a way to show love, care, and trust. To see her baby relaxed in your arms made her feel grateful and proud.
As you carefully worked through Xuxu’s fur, she began to relax completely. Her body stopped squirming, and she sighed softly with pleasure. “That feels… nice,” she said dreamily.
You chuckled. “See? I told you it wouldn’t hurt.”
Every few minutes, you picked off a tiny pest, flicking it away gently. Sometimes, you blew softly on her fur to move the strands apart, making Xuxu giggle. “That tickles!” she squeaked, wriggling a little.
Mama Lala laughed quietly from nearby. “You’re so spoiled, Xuxu. Not every baby gets such special treatment!”
Xuxu grinned shyly. “Because I’m special, Mama.”
“Yes,” Mama Lala said with a smile. “Very special.”
After a while, you paused and gave Xuxu a small piece of banana from the basket. “Here, you deserve a snack for being such a good girl.”
She took it happily, munching away while you continued your careful work. The way she trusted you completely — sitting still in your lap, her little hands clutching your fingers — showed how deep your bond had grown.
When you finished one side of her head, you moved to the other. Xuxu’s fur glistened in the sunlight now, clean and shiny. “Almost done, sweetheart,” you whispered. “Just a little more.”
As you worked, Xuxu began to hum softly — a tiny tune she must have learned from Mama. It was the sound of a happy baby monkey who felt loved and safe.
When you were finally done, you patted her head gently. “All clean! No more itchy lice.”
Xuxu blinked, surprised. “Really? All gone?”
You nodded with a smile. “All gone. Feel your head — does it still itch?”
She scratched lightly and then gasped. “No itch! It’s magic!” she said, laughing with pure joy.
Mama Lala came closer, inspecting Xuxu’s fur carefully. “Perfectly clean,” she said proudly. “You did a wonderful job. Thank you.”
You smiled modestly. “It’s no trouble at all. I love helping Xuxu. She’s such a good girl.”
Xuxu hugged your arm tightly, pressing her soft face against it. “Thank you for picking lice for me,” she said sweetly. “Now I can play again!”
You laughed. “Yes, now you can play all you want — just try not to roll in too much dust, okay?”
“Okay!” she giggled, though everyone knew she probably wouldn’t keep that promise for long.
After the grooming session, Xuxu bounced happily around the clearing, her fur shining and her smile wide. She climbed a low branch, swung a few times, and called out, “Look at me, Mama! Look how shiny I am!”
Mama Lala laughed. “Yes, you’re sparkling, my little sunshine!”
You sat back, watching the two monkeys with warmth in your heart. There was something deeply touching about moments like this — simple acts of care that built trust between humans and animals. You hadn’t just removed lice; you had shown love, patience, and gentleness.
When Xuxu finally tired out from playing, she came back and climbed into your lap again, resting her head against your chest. The late afternoon sun painted her fur gold, and her breathing slowed as she started to drift toward sleep.
You stroked her back softly. “Feeling better now, huh?”
“Mmm,” she murmured sleepily. “No more itchy… thank you…”
Mama Lala watched from a few feet away, smiling with deep gratitude. “You are part of our family now,” she said softly. “Xuxu trusts you as much as she trusts me.”
Those words touched your heart. You smiled back. “She’s a sweetheart. I’ll always help take care of her.”
As Xuxu slept peacefully in your arms, a gentle breeze rustled through the leaves. The forest seemed calm, filled with the music of nature. The sun was setting, coloring the sky in shades of orange and pink.
You looked down at the tiny sleeping monkey and whispered, “Sleep well, little one. No more itchy dreams.”
And as you sat there under the tree, with Mama Lala nearby and Xuxu snuggled close, you realized that love — whether shown through words, a gentle touch, or even picking lice — was what made the bond between humans and animals so beautiful.
For Xuxu, it wasn’t just about being clean. It was about feeling cared for. And for you, it was about giving that care freely, with kindness and patience.
The forest dimmed as the sun disappeared behind the hills, but the warmth of that moment stayed — a small act of tenderness that spoke louder than words.
Yes, you had picked lice for Xuxu. But more than that, you had shared something pure: trust, comfort, and love. ❤️🐒
