Morning light streamed across the small yard where Yumi, the tiny baby monkey, was already awake and bouncing with more energy than anyone else in the house. Her soft fur shimmered in the sun, and her bright eyes scanned the yard as if she were searching for a new adventure. Usually, she started her day quietly, nibbling on her fruit and stretching in slow, sleepy movements. But today wasnāt a normal day at all.
Today, Cici was coming.

Cici was a cheerful little girl from the village who adored animalsāespecially baby monkeys. Every time she visited, she brought a basket of treats, a hundred giggles, and enough affection to make even the shyest creature feel special. And Yumi? Well, Yumi wasnāt shy at all. She loved attentionāmost of the time. But Ciciās excitement often came in like a whole storm of love, and Yumi never quite knew how to handle all of it at once.
As Yumi finished her tiny breakfast, she heard footsteps rushing down the path. Not slow footsteps. Not calm footsteps. These were fast, tiny, thumping footstepsāthe kind that only Cici made when she couldnāt wait another second to see her favorite monkey friend.
Before Yumi could even react, Cici burst through the bamboo gate like a ray of sunshine with legs.

āYUMIII!ā she squealed.
Yumi froze, eyes wide, tail high. Uh oh. No time to prepare!
Cici dropped her little backpack and ran straight at her with outstretched arms. Yumi squeaked and hopped backwards onto a tree stump. But Cici was already there, scooping her up in a giant hug.
Yumiās entire body went stiff.
Ciciās squeezes were always full of love⦠but also full of surprise! Yumi wasnāt expecting THAT much love so early in the morning.

āOhhh youāre so cute today!ā Cici said, rocking Yumi side to side. āLook at your little face!ā
Yumi blinked fast. Her tiny hands pushed gently against Ciciās cheeks as if she were saying, āWhoaātoo much! Too fast!ā
But Cici didnāt notice yet. She was too busy showering Yumi with kisses on the top of her head. Yumiās ears twitched at each one.
After a few seconds, Cici finally loosened her hug, giving Yumi room to breathe again. Yumi puffed out a tiny sigh of relief. But Cici was far from finished.
āOkay! I brought you something!ā she announced proudly.
She reached for her backpack. Yumi, curious but cautious, crawled to the edge of the stump and peeked down. Cici pulled out a small pink hairbrush with sparkles on the handle.
Yumiās eyes widened again. Oh no. The brush.
Last time, Cici had tried to brush Yumiās hair into āprincess style,ā and Yumi spent half an hour pulling out tiny flower clips from her tail.
Cici plopped beside her and held up the brush. āSit nicely, okay? Iām gonna make you beautiful today!ā
Yumi gave her a look like, āMe? I already look beautiful!ā but she sat anyway, because deep down, she liked being pamperedāeven if she pretended not to.
Cici gently brushed the top of Yumiās head. The first stroke was soft. Nice. Relaxing, even. Yumiās eyes drooped a little. The second stroke was longer, brushing down her back. Yumi leaned into it.
Okay⦠this wasnāt so bad.
Then came the third strokeāCici got a little too excited and brushed too fast. Yumi squeaked! Her fur puffed up like a dandelion. Cici gasped and immediately slowed down again.
āOops! Sorry! Iām just too happy today!ā she said with a giggle.
Yumi wiggled around dramatically, shaking off the ticklish feeling. Cici laughed, placing a gentle hand on her back to steady her. āYou silly monkey! Hold still!ā
Once Yumi was brushed and looking extra fluffy, Cici placed a tiny bow on top of her head. Yumi touched the bow, confused, then looked up at Cici as if to ask, āReally? Again?ā
Cici nodded proudly. āYES! It looks adorable!ā
Yumi wasnāt sure, but she trusted Cici. Plus, Ciciās smile made everything feel okay.
Just when Yumi thought the attention was finally finished, Cici scooped her up again and lifted her into the air. Yumiās arms flew open, toes curled, eyes sparkling with surprise.
āWeāre going to PLAY!ā Cici announced like a queen making a royal decree.
She ran to the grassy area, holding Yumi like a precious treasure. Yumi held onto her shirt tightly, bouncing gently as Cici jogged. When they reached the shade of a big mango tree, Cici set her down and pulled out another surprise from her backpack.
A toy ball.
A bright, colorful, shiny toy ball.
Yumi gaspedāand this time it was excitement, not shock. She loved the ball!
Cici rolled it gently toward her. Yumi slapped it back with her little hands. Cici rolled it again. Yumi kicked it this time. The ball bounced off a rock and shot sideways. Yumi leaped after it with all the energy she had.
Cici clapped happily. āYumi! Youāre soooo good at this!ā
Yumi stopped mid-chase and looked back at her with a face that clearly said: I know. Iām amazing.
Every time Yumi chased the ball, Cici cheered louder. And the louder she cheered, the faster Yumi ran. Her little feet pattered across the grass in quick bursts, her tail swinging like a tiny banner. She felt like a superstar on a stageāwith Cici as her number-one fan.
After many rounds of ball-chasing, Yumi plopped back into Ciciās lap, panting a little. Cici stroked her fur softly, letting Yumi rest.
āYouāre the cutest monkey ever,ā Cici whispered.
Yumi snuggled deeper into her arms. For someone who ācouldnāt handle the attention,ā she sure looked like she was enjoying it now.
Cici leaned her cheek gently against Yumiās head. āI wish I could stay all day.ā
Yumi looked up at her with big shiny eyes. If she could speak, she wouldāve said, āYou should!ā
Instead, she wrapped her tiny arms around Ciciās neck in the sweetest hug she could manage. Cici melted instantly.
āAwww! You DO love me!ā she squealed softly.
Yumi clicked her tongue and nuzzled her face into Ciciās shirt. Yes, she loved her. Yes, she enjoyed the attention. Maybe not the surprise hugs or the too-fast brushing, but the love behind it? Absolutely.
As the sun began to set, Cici packed her things. Yumi sat on the stump again, watching her with a soft pout. She didnāt want the day to end.
Cici walked back over and kissed the top of Yumiās head. āIāll come back tomorrow, okay?ā
Tomorrow. That magic word.
Yumiās entire body lit up. She hopped happily, twirling around with excitement. Cici laughed and waved goodbye as she walked down the path.
Yumi watched until she disappeared.
Then she looked at the bow on her head⦠and gently straightened it with her tiny fingers.
Maybe Ciciās attention wasnāt too much after all.
Maybe it was exactly what she needed.
And tomorrow? Sheād be ready for it.
