It was a quiet afternoon on the farm, with the usual rustle of trees and distant calls of birds. But something was differentâeerily silent. In the corner of the wooden hut where baby monkey Lu usually played and snacked on fruit, he now sat huddled against his favorite human, Cutis. Both were unusually quiet. Cutis, the gentle and cheerful farmer who had become a second father to the baby monkey, was doing his best to hold back tears. But the emotion was heavy, weighing them both down.
Their beloved companionâDad, as both Lu and Cutis called himâhad left a few days ago to tend to urgent family matters in the city. It wasnât the first time Dad had left the farm, but for some reason, this time felt different. Maybe it was because of how close the three had become. They werenât just caretaker and animalsâthey were a family.
A Bond That Melted Hearts
Cutis had always had a way with animals, but his bond with Lu was something unique. Ever since Lu was rescued as a tiny, helpless monkey, Cutis had been the one to care for himâfeeding him with a bottle, keeping him warm during rainy nights, and teaching him how to interact with the other animals on the farm.
And then there was Dad. A quiet, wise man with kind eyes and rough hands, Dad was like the sun to Lu. Whenever Dad was around, the baby monkey would squeal with joy, leap into his arms, and cling tightly as if never wanting to let go. Dad would often say, âThis little guy understands love better than most people.â He wasnât wrong.
But now, Dad was goneâtemporarily, but it felt like forever to Lu.
Signs of Sadness
The change in Luâs behavior was noticeable from the moment Dad stepped out of the farm gate. He didnât jump around as usual. He didnât reach for bananas or apples with the same excitement. Instead, he looked at the entrance every time a sound echoed from the road, as if hoping it was Dad returning.
Cutis tried everythingâsweet fruit, warm milk, cuddles, and even playful antics. But Lu just turned his face away, curling into a ball. His appetite dropped, and he grew sluggish. He wouldnât even play with his favorite stuffed toy, a little red elephant Dad had given him.
What broke Cutisâs heart even more was realizing that he, too, was struggling to eat. Meals didnât feel right without Dad sitting across the table, cracking jokes and sharing stories. The silence at the dinner table was unbearable. He would cook, hoping the smell of food would bring back Luâs curiosity, but nothing worked.
A Shared Pain
One particularly emotional evening, Cutis prepared a warm bowl of porridgeâDadâs favorite dish. He thought maybe sharing it with Lu might spark some comfort. He placed the bowl near Lu, then sat beside him with his own serving.
Lu sniffed it, looked up at Cutis with watery eyes, and instead of eating, climbed onto his lap and rested his head against his chest. It was in that moment Cutis understood: they were both grieving. And it was okay.
Cutis wrapped his arms around the baby monkey and whispered, âHeâs coming back, little one. I promise.â
But even as he said it, he felt the ache in his chest. He missed Dad just as much.
The Longest Days
Days passed, and though Lu wasnât completely refusing food, he was still barely eating. Cutis decided to let Lu stay close to him throughout the day. Whether it was tending to the garden, watering the plants, or feeding the chickens, Lu clung to Cutisâs back like a shadow.
He didnât want to be left alone. Cutis didnât mindâit actually helped him feel a bit better, too. Having Lu there reminded him of how strong their little family bond was.
Together, they sat under the mango tree where Dad used to rest every evening. They watched the horizon, as if waiting for a miracle. Sometimes, Lu would point toward the gate and chatter softly, as if asking, âIs he coming now?â
Cutis would gently shake his head and say, âSoon, buddy. Soon.â
A Surprise That Changed Everything
Then, on the fifth morning, just as the sun bathed the farm in golden light, something magical happened. A familiar voice called out from the gate.
âHey! Iâm home!â
Luâs ears perked up instantly. He paused for a second, unsure if it was real. Then came the sound againâDadâs voice. Louder this time.
Lu shrieked with joy, leapt off Cutisâs shoulder, and sprinted toward the gate with unbelievable speed. Cutis followed, heart pounding.
And there he wasâDad, standing with open arms and teary eyes.
Lu jumped into his arms and hugged him so tightly it brought tears to everyone’s eyes. He squeaked, kissed Dadâs cheeks, and patted his face as if to say, âDonât ever leave again!â
Cutis stood back, watching with a mixture of joy and relief. His heart, once heavy with sadness, felt light again.
Healing Together
That evening was the first time in days that Lu ate properly. Cutis, Dad, and Lu shared a meal under the starsâfresh fruit, warm rice, and laughter. Lu even brought his red elephant toy to the table, placing it beside Dadâs plate.
The bond between them was deeper now. They had endured a tough moment togetherâa moment that reminded them how much they meant to each other.
Even though it was just a few days, the absence felt like a lifetime. But in that moment of reunion, all the pain melted away, replaced by love, comfort, and the strength of family.
Final Thoughts
This heartbreaking yet touching story of Cutis and Lu reminds us of something simple yet profoundâanimals feel love, loss, and longing just like we do. The connection between a baby monkey, a farmer, and the man they both call Dad is proof that family isnât always about blood. Sometimes, itâs about the ones who stay, love, and wait together.
Even in the quietest moments of sadness, love finds a way to bring us back together. And sometimes, that love is shared in a bowl of porridge, a warm hug, or a tearful reunion at the gate.
