Deep in the warm, peaceful corner of the forest sanctuary, a tiny baby monkey named Liri was getting sleepy. Her eyelids drooped slowly, like soft curtains being pulled down at the end of a long day. She yawned a tiny baby monkey yawn—wide, squeaky, and impossibly cute.
Liri had one habit she never outgrew: whenever she felt sleepy, scared, or lonely, she placed her tiny finger into her mouth and sucked on it gently. It was her special comfort, like a blanket or a lullaby. Every monkey in the troop knew this was Liri’s little bedtime ritual.
But Liri wasn’t sleeping alone tonight.
She was curled up on the lap of Maya, the young caretaker who always fed, carried, and played with her. Maya adored Liri and made sure she grew strong and healthy. But there was one tiny rule Maya always reminded her of:
“No sleeping with your finger in your mouth, little one. You’ll hurt your teeth.”
Liri didn’t fully understand what “teeth damage” meant. All she knew was that the moment she felt herself drifting toward dreamland, Maya would gently remove her finger. Every night it happened at the same time—right when things were getting cozy.
Tonight was no different.
After an adventure-filled day of climbing low branches, exploring the play area, stealing mango slices, and getting her fur groomed by older monkeys, Liri was exhausted. She curled up like a fuzzy bean and let her heavy head rest on Maya’s thigh.
Maya stroked her back in slow, gentle motions.
“Sleep time, sweetheart,” she whispered.
Liri closed her eyes instantly. But her tiny finger slipped into her mouth just as quickly. She knew Maya didn’t mind her doing it for a little while. But the moment she truly fell asleep, Maya would pull it out gently—like she always did.
And Liri knew that moment was coming.
Even with her eyes closed, Liri kept one tiny thought inside her sleepy mind:
Maybe tonight I can hold my finger in my mouth just a little longer.
The forest around them began to quiet. Birds settled down. The leaves stopped rustling. From afar, the river hummed softly, like nature’s lullaby. Everything felt perfect for sleep.
Maya noticed the tiny sucking sound and sighed in a soft, loving way. “Liri… you’re doing it again.”
But she didn’t pull the finger out yet. She let Liri relax first. She understood bedtime comfort was important.
“Just a few more minutes,” Maya murmured.
Liri felt Maya’s voice rumble gently through her warm body. She snuggled deeper, curling her tail around Maya’s arm. Her breathing slowed. Her eyelids fluttered. Her thoughts melted into fuzzy shapes.
But still… she knew…
Any moment now, Maya’s hand would lift her tiny wrist and guide her finger away from her mouth. It always happened right when Liri was at the edge of sleep.
And Liri, even half-asleep, was always aware of it.
Inside her little monkey mind, she thought,
Maybe if I pretend to sleep super deeply… she won’t take it out.
So she let her body go soft. Completely limp. Completely relaxed. She even breathed slowly like a grown monkey taking a nap.
Maya smiled when she noticed this. “Ahh, you’re pretending again,” she whispered, amused.
Liri’s ear twitched. She tried not to react.
Maya waited a moment longer. She wanted Liri to be truly peaceful before gently removing the finger. That way the baby wouldn’t fuss or wake.
Finally, Maya moved.
Very slowly, she placed one warm hand under Liri’s tiny palm. Liri felt it immediately, even with her eyes closed. Her finger wiggled inside her mouth as if it wanted to stay.
Maya smiled lovingly at this tiny silent protest. “You silly little fluff ball,” she whispered. “You always know the exact second.”
She lifted Liri’s wrist carefully, and the finger slipped out of her mouth with a soft pop. Liri didn’t open her eyes. She didn’t want Maya to think she was awake. She kept her body still like a pebble.
Maya tucked Liri’s hand gently against her chest.
“You can sleep without it,” Maya whispered. “You’re getting bigger.”
Liri didn’t understand the words. But she understood the feeling.
Safe. Warm. Loved.
Her tiny lips trembled, searching for the finger again out of habit. Maya gently placed her other hand near Liri’s cheek to comfort her. The soft touch soothed the baby monkey instantly.
Liri relaxed deeper.
Her breathing steadied.
Her tiny fists unclenched.
Her tail curled loosely instead of tightly.
She had lost the finger, yes… but she had something better—Maya’s warm hand holding her close.
Just when Liri began truly sinking into sleep, she felt another presence nearby. Her troop-mate, an older monkey named Tiki, climbed quietly onto the wooden platform. Tiki loved Liri like a little sister and always checked on her before bed.
Tiki brushed a gentle paw over Liri’s fuzzy head, grooming her lightly.
This made Liri feel even safer.
Maya whispered to Tiki, “She tried to keep her finger tonight again.”
Tiki made a soft, knowing sound. He had seen this many times. Liri always fought the “finger rule,” but she always slept peacefully once it was removed. Tiki sat beside Maya, like a proud guardian helping with bedtime.
Liri’s breathing slowed even more. Her belly rose and fell like a tiny wave. Her lips stopped searching. She no longer needed the finger.
She now drifted into sleep completely.
In her dreams, Liri found herself climbing huge mango trees, tasting sweet fruit, swinging easily from one branch to another. The forest was bright and full of warm sunlight. Birds flew around her, monkeys cheered, and Maya smiled proudly from the ground.
Dream-land Liri could suck her finger all she wanted.
But real Liri stayed asleep without it—resting peacefully in Maya’s lap.
Tiki eventually curled up beside her. Maya covered them both with a tiny soft blanket. The night air grew cooler, but Liri was surrounded by warmth—Maya’s hands, Tiki’s fur, and the quiet hum of the forest.
Before she fell asleep too, Maya whispered,
“You did great tonight, little Liri. You’re growing every day.”
And even though she was far away in her dreams, a tiny smile formed on Liri’s sleepy lips.
Because deep inside her little monkey heart, she knew she was safe.
She knew she was loved.
And she knew she could sleep soundly…
Even without her finger.
