From the moment the first rays of sunrise touched the green fields, there was already movement at the little farmhouse on the hill. CUTIS, the clever and kindhearted young caretaker, was wide awake, stretching his arms and preparing for another busy day on the farm. But today was special—today he had a tiny shadow following him everywhere: Baby Monkey Niko, the energetic little troublemaker who had recently become part of the family.
Niko loved CUTIS more than anyone else. He trusted him, clung to him, and mimicked everything he did. So when CUTIS decided it was time to teach Niko how to be a real little farmer, the baby monkey’s eyes sparkled with excitement. He didn’t know what farming meant, but if CUTIS was doing it, he wanted in.
“Come on, little brother,” CUTIS said with a gentle pat on Niko’s fluffy head. “Today we learn how to care for the cows.”
Niko squealed with joy, wrapped his tiny arms around CUTIS’s leg, and the two set off toward the cowshed where the soft mooing echoed through the warm morning air.
First Lesson: Feeding the Cows
When they entered the shed, Niko’s nose twitched. He had never smelled hay before—dry, sweet, earthy. CUTIS reached for a bundle and held it out.
“This is food for the cows,” he explained.
Niko tilted his head. Food? He sniffed the hay, made a funny face, then tried to taste a bit, thinking it must be human food too. But CUTIS quickly lifted him away.
“No, no, little monkey! Not for you,” he laughed.
Niko grinned sheepishly, but his eyes widened again as he watched the cows stretch their long tongues to pull the hay from CUTIS’s hands. Their size didn’t scare him. Instead, he climbed onto CUTIS’s shoulder, feeling braver from that height.
CUTIS handed Niko a small handful of dry grass. “You try.”
At first, Niko threw it on the ground, thinking it was a game. Then CUTIS guided his little hand closer to the cow’s mouth. The cow gently took the hay with a warm breath, and Niko’s entire body shivered with excitement. The cow had accepted his gift!
He puffed up proudly, beating his tiny chest like a hero. CUTIS burst into laughter.
“Good job, little farmer.”
Second Lesson: Cleaning the Stall
This one was not as fun for Niko. CUTIS picked up a small broom and handed Niko a much tinier one—one that used to be a broken brush.
Niko sniffed it. Then he tapped the floor. Then he sat on it.
CUTIS sighed but smiled. “No, little brother. We use it like this.”
He swept the floor skillfully, pushing old hay and dirt to one corner. Niko, determined to impress him, copied the movements, though his broom barely moved anything and sometimes he swept dust onto himself instead of away.
A few minutes later, CUTIS looked back and saw Niko lying flat on his stomach, pushing the broom with his feet while squeaking happily. Clearly, it had turned into a game.
Still, CUTIS couldn’t help laughing. “Okay… maybe cleaning will come later.”
He ruffled Niko’s fur and continued. The baby monkey sat on the hay pile, watching him with big admiring eyes. CUTIS worked hard. Niko wanted to work hard too—he just didn’t know how yet.
But CUTIS didn’t mind. Farming wasn’t only about hard work; it was about patience and love.
Third Lesson: Watering Time
Outside, the sun was higher and the cows wandered toward the feeding trough. CUTIS filled two buckets with fresh water. Niko reached for one but immediately fell backward—the bucket was bigger than him!
CUTIS knelt down. “How about we do it together?”
He held the bucket on both sides and placed Niko’s tiny hands on the rim. Step by step, with water sloshing everywhere, they carried the bucket across the yard. Niko’s tongue stuck out in concentration. He was giving this his all.
When they reached the trough, CUTIS tipped the bucket forward. Niko leaned with him, helping pour the water inside. A huge splash hit him, soaking his fur. He froze.
CUTIS panicked. “Oh no! Are you okay—”
Then Niko shook himself like a puppy, water flying everywhere, and let out the loudest little laugh CUTIS had ever heard.
CUTIS laughed too, scooping him up. “You crazy monkey! You did great.”
Break Time: The Bond Grows Stronger
After the farm chores, CUTIS sat under the big mango tree and placed Niko beside him. The baby monkey curled into CUTIS’s lap, the way a little brother would, safe and warm.
CUTIS offered him a slice of mango. Niko accepted it with both hands and devoured it with joyful squeaks.
“You’re learning,” CUTIS said softly. “One day, you’ll help me with everything. We’ll run this farm together.”
Niko didn’t understand the words, but he understood the feeling—love, safety, family. He hugged CUTIS’s arm tightly.
CUTIS leaned back, watching the cows grazing peacefully under the sun. Life on the farm was simple, but moments like this made it beautiful.
Afternoon Challenge: Bravery Test
Later, CUTIS took Niko to meet Daisy—the biggest cow in the whole farm. Daisy was gentle, but her size alone could scare anyone. Niko’s tail wrapped around CUTIS’s neck as he trembled.
“It’s okay,” CUTIS whispered. “She’s our friend.”
CUTIS placed his hand on Daisy’s head. Slowly, carefully, Niko stretched out his tiny hand too. Daisy lowered her head, sniffed him gently, then gave him a soft nudge.
Niko gasped. Then he squealed and tried to hug her face.
CUTIS laughed so hard he almost fell over. “See? Even big cows love you.”
From that moment on, Niko was no longer afraid. He followed Daisy around like she was his giant protector.
Becoming Great Brothers
As the sky turned orange and pink, CUTIS carried Niko on his shoulder back to the porch. The baby monkey was exhausted, his eyes half-closed, but his tiny hands still held onto CUTIS’s shirt.
CUTIS whispered, “You did well today, little farmer.”
Niko snuggled closer.
The farm felt different now—not just a workplace, but a home filled with laughter, warmth, and the bond of two brothers, one human and one monkey, learning and growing together.
CUTIS taught Niko how to farm, but Niko taught CUTIS something even more important: joy in every little moment, love in every small gesture, and the beauty of companionship.
On that peaceful evening, with the cows settling in and the stars beginning to glow, CUTIS looked at his tiny friend and smiled.
“We’re great brothers now, aren’t we?”
Niko, half-asleep, wrapped his arms around CUTIS’s neck.
Yes. They were more than brothers—they were family forever.
