It was a quiet afternoon in the countryside. The sun was shining gently through the windows, and everything felt peaceful. Thuy was sitting in the living room, sipping a cup of tea and reading a book. Everything was calm—until she heard a strange noise coming from the kitchen.
Curious, she put down her book and stood up. As she peeked into the kitchen, she gasped.
“Lala?” she said in disbelief.
There in the kitchen, standing on a stool and wearing a little apron, was Lala—their clever young monkey. Lala had climbed up to the counter, opened a cupboard, and taken out a bag of potatoes. Now she was carefully picking out a few and placing them into a metal bowl. Her little fingers moved with surprising skill, and her face was focused and determined.
Thuy rubbed her eyes. Was she dreaming?
But no—it was real. Lala was hungry and had decided to cook!
Thuy stepped closer, half amazed and half worried. “Lala, what are you doing?”
Lala looked over her shoulder and gave a happy squeak, as if to say, “I’m hungry!” She then pointed at the potatoes and mimicked a chewing motion with her hands.
Thuy laughed. “You’re cooking potatoes? Really?”
Lala nodded seriously and then began washing the potatoes in the sink. She used her tiny hands to rub them clean, just like she had seen Thuy do many times. Water splashed everywhere, but Lala didn’t care. She was focused on the job.
Thuy couldn’t help but giggle. “I didn’t know you were watching me that closely!”
Lala placed the clean potatoes on a towel and began patting them dry. Then she looked around the kitchen, trying to remember the next step. Thuy stood back and watched in amazement, not wanting to interrupt the little monkey’s project.
Lala jumped down and opened the bottom drawer, pulling out a small pot. It was heavy for her, but she managed to drag it over to the stove. With great effort, she placed it on the burner and then looked back at Thuy as if asking, “What now?”
Thuy smiled. “Okay, I’ll help a little—but only a little!”
She turned on the stove and added some water to the pot, then let Lala place the potatoes in herself. Lala clapped excitedly and hopped around in delight. It was clear that she loved being involved in the kitchen.
While the potatoes boiled, Lala sat on the counter, watching carefully. She sniffed the steam and wrinkled her nose, then squeaked again to show her approval. She seemed to know exactly how long they needed to cook.
After a while, Thuy helped take the potatoes off the stove. She drained the water, and Lala helped by shaking the colander. Steam filled the kitchen, and the smell of fresh-cooked potatoes filled the air.
“Now what, Chef Lala?” Thuy teased.
Lala tapped her chin, then pointed to a small dish of butter on the counter. She had seen Thuy mash potatoes before and clearly remembered the steps.
Together, they mashed the potatoes, added a bit of butter, and even sprinkled a tiny bit of salt. Lala tasted a spoonful and squealed in joy. She offered a bite to Thuy, who smiled and nodded. “Perfect, Lala. You really did it!”
They sat together at the table, sharing the simple but delicious dish. Lala ate happily, scooping up mashed potatoes with both hands. Her tail wagged with joy, and her eyes sparkled. For her, this wasn’t just food—it was something she had made herself. And that made it special.
As they ate, Thuy couldn’t stop smiling. She had always known Lala was smart, but today she had seen something truly extraordinary. Lala wasn’t just copying—she was learning, remembering, and creating.
When they finished eating, Lala jumped down and began cleaning up. She put the spoons in the sink and wiped the table with a cloth. Of course, it wasn’t perfect, but her effort was impressive. Thuy helped with the rest, but gave Lala a big hug.
“You really surprised me today,” she said. “You’re not just a little monkey. You’re a smart, thoughtful, and hungry little chef!”
Lala beamed with pride.
Word about Lala’s cooking adventure spread quickly. Neighbors who heard the story came over to see the clever monkey in action. Some brought their own vegetables and asked Lala to help prepare them. She became the star of the village, with everyone wanting to see what she’d do next.
But Thuy made sure to keep things balanced. “She’s still a baby,” she told the visitors. “Let her enjoy her food and fun. Cooking is just one of her many surprises.”
Still, every time Lala got hungry, she would head toward the kitchen, pull out her little apron, and look up at Thuy with big, curious eyes.
“Potatoes again?” Thuy would ask.
And Lala would nod excitedly.
In the end, the kitchen became more than just a place to cook. It became a place of laughter, learning, and love. With every meal, Lala showed that even the smallest creatures could do big things when given the chance.
And Thuy, once surprised, became Lala’s biggest fan—always ready with a smile, a helping hand, and maybe a few extra potatoes, just in case the little chef got hungry again.
