The morning began softly — the sun rising through a blanket of golden mist, the jungle still waking, and the cool air carrying the sound of chirping birds. But for CUTIS and the baby monkey, that morning felt heavy. Something didn’t feel right.
Their dad, the big, wise monkey who always protected them, taught them how to find food, and made them laugh when the world seemed too big — was packing his bag made of banana leaves.
“Dad,” CUTIS said quietly, his eyes wide with confusion, “why are you getting ready so early? Where are you going?”
Papa Monkey turned with a gentle smile, though there was sadness behind his eyes. “I have to go to the far side of the jungle, CUTIS. The rivers there are drying up, and our friends need help finding food. I’ll be gone for a few days.”
CUTIS froze. The baby monkey, still rubbing sleep from his eyes, ran over, hugging their dad’s leg tightly. “A few days? That’s too long, Daddy! Don’t go!”
Papa Monkey crouched down, resting a big, gentle hand on the baby monkey’s head. “I know, little one. I don’t want to leave either. But sometimes we have to help others — just like we help each other.”
The baby monkey’s lip trembled. “But what if you don’t come back?”
CUTIS felt his heart squeeze. He remembered stories of faraway places in the jungle — dangerous cliffs, loud rivers, and hungry animals. What if something happened to their dad out there?
“Dad,” CUTIS whispered, his voice breaking, “we can come too. We can help you.”
Papa Monkey shook his head softly. “No, CUTIS. It’s too far, and too dangerous. I need you both to stay here, look after each other, and protect our home.”
Tears welled up in baby monkey’s eyes. “But I can’t sleep without your song, Daddy. You always sing to us before bed.”
Papa Monkey smiled, though his voice was heavy. “Then you must sing it to each other while I’m gone.”
Baby monkey shook his head fiercely. “No! No, no! Please don’t go!” He clung tighter, wrapping his little arms around his dad’s neck. CUTIS joined him, tears falling silently as he hugged his father’s arm.
“Please, Dad,” CUTIS begged, his voice trembling, “stay just one more day. Just today.”
Papa Monkey looked away for a moment. His heart ached seeing their tears. But he also knew that sometimes, love meant leaving — to protect not only your family, but others in need.
He sat down on the ground, both little monkeys still holding him. “Listen to me, both of you,” he said softly. “Do you remember what I told you about courage?”
CUTIS nodded, sniffling. “That courage isn’t about not being scared… it’s about doing what’s right even when you are.”
Papa Monkey smiled proudly. “That’s right. I’ll be brave for you. And I want you to be brave for me. Can you do that?”
The baby monkey wiped his tears with the back of his paw. “But… what if I miss you too much?”
Papa Monkey gently lifted him up and kissed his forehead. “Then look at the stars, little one. Every night when you see them, know that I’m looking at them too. No matter how far apart we are, the same sky connects us.”
CUTIS took a deep breath, but his voice cracked. “But the jungle feels empty without you.”
Papa Monkey smiled softly. “Then fill it with laughter, with kindness, with love. You two are the heart of this forest now.”
He stood, picking up his leaf bag, but baby monkey refused to let go. He clung tightly, whispering, “Please don’t go, Dad… please.”
Papa Monkey closed his eyes for a moment, holding them both close. “I’ll come back. I promise.”
CUTIS looked up through tears. “You really promise?”
“I promise,” Papa Monkey said firmly, squeezing their hands. “No matter how far I go, I’ll always find my way back home — to you.”
The jungle breeze rustled the leaves as if whispering goodbye. CUTIS and baby monkey stood side by side, watching as their father began to walk down the narrow path between the trees.
Each step he took sounded heavier than the last.
Baby monkey ran after him again. “Wait! Take this!” He handed his dad a small mango he had been saving — his favorite fruit.
Papa Monkey smiled gently, taking it. “Thank you, little one. I’ll eat this and think of you.”
CUTIS walked up slowly and tied a vine bracelet around his father’s wrist. “So you don’t forget us.”
Papa Monkey’s eyes glistened. “I could never forget you.”
He hugged them both one last time, long and tight, the kind of hug that feels like forever. “Be strong for each other, okay?”
CUTIS nodded, though his eyes were full of tears. The baby monkey buried his face in his father’s fur, whispering, “Please come back soon.”
Papa Monkey kissed their heads. “I will.” Then, with one last wave, he disappeared into the trees.
Silence fell.
The jungle that had always felt alive suddenly seemed too quiet. CUTIS and baby monkey stood there for a long time, staring at the path where their dad had vanished.
After a while, CUTIS sat down under the big mango tree. Baby monkey climbed into his lap, still sniffling.
“Do you think he’ll be okay?” baby monkey asked softly.
CUTIS nodded, though his heart was uncertain. “Dad’s the strongest monkey I know. He’ll be fine.”
Baby monkey hugged him tighter. “I already miss him.”
“I know,” CUTIS said, wrapping his arms around him. “Me too.”
They sat there together until the sun began to set, painting the sky orange and pink. CUTIS pointed to the first star that appeared.
“Look,” he whispered. “Dad said the stars will connect us. That’s him saying goodnight.”
Baby monkey looked up, his eyes shining with tears and wonder. “Goodnight, Dad…”
CUTIS added softly, “Come home soon.”
That night, they curled up together in their leafy bed. The forest sounds surrounded them — crickets, frogs, the whisper of wind — but something was missing. No deep, gentle voice humming their bedtime song.
CUTIS hesitated, then began humming softly, imitating his father’s tune.
🎵 “Sleep, my little ones, the moon will guard you… the stars will light your dreams…” 🎵
Baby monkey’s eyelids grew heavy as he snuggled closer. “You sound like Dad,” he murmured.
CUTIS smiled faintly. “That’s because his love stays here… with us.”
As days passed, they tried to be brave. CUTIS made sure baby monkey ate enough, played games to make him laugh, and watched the horizon every evening. Baby monkey started helping with chores — gathering fruit, sweeping leaves — though he often stopped, staring into the distance with a quiet sigh.
One evening, after a long day, they heard a familiar rustling sound.
Both their ears perked up.
“Did you hear that?” baby monkey whispered.
CUTIS stood up quickly. “It can’t be…”
Through the bushes, a tall shadow appeared — tired, but smiling.
“Dad!” they both screamed, running forward as fast as they could.
Papa Monkey dropped his bag and opened his arms just in time to catch them. “My brave little ones!”
They hugged him so tightly he could barely breathe. “You came back! You really came back!” baby monkey cried.
Papa Monkey laughed softly, lifting them both up. “Of course I did. I promised, didn’t I?”
CUTIS grinned through tears. “We were brave, Dad. Just like you said.”
Papa Monkey kissed their foreheads. “I know you were. I could feel your love all the way from the other side of the jungle.”
That night, as they sat together under the stars, CUTIS and baby monkey leaned against their father’s warm fur.
“Next time,” baby monkey said sleepily, “don’t go without us.”
Papa Monkey smiled. “Next time, we go together.”
And as he began to hum their bedtime song once more, CUTIS closed his eyes and whispered, “We’ll never let you go again.”
The stars twinkled brighter that night — as if the whole jungle was smiling. 🌙✨
