It was a calm morning in the little riverside town, the kind of morning where everything felt peaceful and lazy. The sun was rising over the water, birds were singing in the trees, and the market was just waking up. Merchants were opening their stalls, the smell of fresh bread and tropical fruit filled the air, and everyone was in a good mood.
Everyone, that is — except one cheeky little monkey named CUTIS.
CUTIS was sitting high up on a tree branch, watching people below with a mischievous grin on his face. His tail swung lazily back and forth, his eyes bright with curiosity. CUTIS wasn’t a bad monkey — he just loved fun. And when CUTIS wanted to have fun, the whole town usually ended up laughing (or chasing him).
Beside him sat his tiny companion, Baby Monkey, licking a piece of banana and humming softly. The two of them were always together — like brothers, partners in crime, and best friends rolled into one furry duo.
CUTIS leaned forward, scanning the crowd. “Hmm…” he murmured, scratching his head. “What should we play with today?”
Baby Monkey blinked and pointed at something shiny. CUTIS followed his little friend’s gaze — and there it was: a man wearing a tall, wide-brimmed hat, bright red with a golden stripe. It sparkled in the sunlight like treasure.
CUTIS’s grin grew wider. “Well, well, look at that beauty!” he whispered.
Baby Monkey squeaked in excitement. CUTIS winked. “That hat would look perfect on me.”
And just like that, another plan was born — the kind of silly, bold plan only CUTIS could come up with.
He climbed quietly down the tree trunk, moving so stealthily that not even a leaf stirred. Baby Monkey followed, mimicking his every move. They crept behind fruit baskets, wooden crates, and even under a cart. The people nearby were too busy talking to notice the two little shadows sneaking closer and closer.
The man with the red hat stood near a stall, chatting happily with a vendor. CUTIS crouched behind a pile of mangoes, eyes locked on his target. The hat glowed in the morning light — shiny, irresistible, unattended.
CUTIS turned to Baby Monkey and whispered, “On my signal. One… two… three!”
WHOOSH!
CUTIS leapt up, quick as lightning, landing squarely on the man’s shoulder. The man gasped, “What the—?!” but before he could react, CUTIS had already snatched the hat clean off his head!
“HEY! MY HAT!” the man shouted.
But it was too late — CUTIS was already gone, swinging up the nearest tree, the red hat clutched triumphantly in his little hands.
“CUTIS! NOT AGAIN!” someone yelled from the crowd, laughing.
People started pointing and laughing as the mischievous monkey climbed higher, the big hat wobbling on his tiny head. Baby Monkey followed right behind him, clapping and squealing with joy. CUTIS struck a heroic pose on the branch, wearing the hat at a crooked angle.
He puffed out his chest and shouted proudly (in his monkey way), “Look! I’m the king!”
The crowd below burst into laughter. Even the man who had lost his hat couldn’t help but chuckle, though he crossed his arms and said, “That monkey has no manners!”
CUTIS didn’t care. He tilted the hat, adjusted it just right, and admired himself in a piece of shiny metal he’d found. “Stylish,” he muttered proudly. “I look amazing!”
But then, Baby Monkey wanted a turn. He tugged at the hat, chirping loudly. CUTIS sighed dramatically. “Fine, fine, just be careful!”
Baby Monkey put the big hat on his tiny head — and it instantly fell over his face. He stumbled around, bumping into the tree trunk and nearly falling off. CUTIS burst into laughter so hard that he rolled over backward, clutching his belly.
The people below were laughing too. Children pointed, clapping their hands. “Look! The baby monkey can’t see!”
CUTIS finally helped lift the hat off Baby Monkey’s face, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. “You look adorable,” he said between giggles.
But just as they were enjoying themselves, they heard a familiar voice call out from the distance — a voice that made CUTIS freeze.
“CUTIS!!!”
It was Mom Monkey.
CUTIS turned his head slowly. There she was, standing on another tree branch, hands on her hips, with that “you’re in trouble” expression all moms have.
“Oh no,” CUTIS whispered. “She found us.”
Mom glared at him. “What did you take this time?”
CUTIS smiled nervously. “A… souvenir?”
Mom raised an eyebrow. “That hat belongs to someone, doesn’t it?”
Before CUTIS could answer, the man below shouted, “Yes, mine! That naughty monkey stole it!”
Mom sighed and shook her head. “CUTIS, how many times have I told you not to take people’s things?”
CUTIS tried to look innocent, pointing to Baby Monkey. “He wanted it!”
Baby Monkey blinked, confused, then squeaked defensively. “Ee-eh-eh!”
Mom wasn’t fooled. “Both of you — down here. Now.”
CUTIS pouted. “But Mom, everyone’s laughing! It’s funny!”
Mom crossed her arms. “You can make people laugh without stealing hats.”
CUTIS groaned, then looked down at the crowd. Everyone was watching, smiling. Even the man with the hat was grinning now, clearly amused by the whole scene. CUTIS sighed, knowing he had no choice.
“Alright, alright,” he said, climbing down slowly. Baby Monkey followed, still clutching the hat.
When CUTIS reached the ground, he looked up at the man, then at the hat, then back at the man again. He smiled sheepishly and held out the hat with both hands. “Here you go, sir,” he seemed to say with his big round eyes.
The man took the hat back and patted CUTIS gently on the head. “Thank you, little rascal. You’re lucky you’re cute.”
The crowd clapped, laughing happily. CUTIS bowed dramatically, like a performer finishing a show. Baby Monkey waved to everyone, giggling.
Mom finally smiled too, though she tried to hide it. “Come on, you two,” she said. “Time to go home.”
As they climbed back into the trees, CUTIS looked at Baby Monkey and whispered, “That was totally worth it.”
Baby Monkey nodded, still chuckling. “Hat funny,” he squeaked.
CUTIS laughed again. “Yes, hat funny — but next time, maybe we go for sunglasses!”
Mom, overhearing that, gave him a sharp look. “CUTIS…”
He quickly said, “Just kidding!” and zipped away through the branches.
Later that afternoon, CUTIS and Baby Monkey sat by the riverbank, dipping their feet in the cool water. CUTIS looked at his reflection and imagined himself wearing the red hat again. He chuckled softly.
“You know,” he said, “I didn’t mean to cause trouble. I just wanted to try it on.”
Baby Monkey nodded, munching on a mango. “You looked cool,” he said in his tiny squeaky voice.
CUTIS smiled proudly. “I always look cool.”
The two monkeys laughed together, splashing the water and chasing little fish. Nearby, villagers still talked about the morning’s event, chuckling and shaking their heads.
One old man said, “That CUTIS — he’s naughty, but he makes everyone smile.”
And that was true. CUTIS had a way of turning ordinary days into stories people would tell again and again.
From then on, whenever the man wore his red hat, children would tease him, “Better watch out! CUTIS might steal it again!” and everyone would laugh.
As for CUTIS and Baby Monkey, they spent the rest of the day napping under the trees, dreaming about more adventures, more laughter — and maybe, just maybe, a little less stealing next time.
Well… maybe. 😬🐒
