In a corner of the dense green forest, where sunlight flickered through layers of swaying leaves, lived a small monkey named Kiko. He was tiny—barely old enough to climb the lower branches—but full of energy, curiosity, and a heart that beat with endless affection for one special monkey:
Ramu was one of the strongest monkeys in the troop. He knew how to leap across the tallest trees, find food even during dry seasons, and protect the group from danger. To the other monkeys, he was a leader.
But to Kiko, he was simply Dad, the one he adored more than anything.
Every morning, when the first rays of sunlight touched the forest floor, Kiko would wake up before everyone else. He stretched his tiny limbs, blinked his big brown eyes, and immediately looked for Ramu. He didn’t care about breakfast or playing with the other young monkeys—not yet. He just wanted to find his father.
If Ramu wasn’t beside him, Kiko would scramble to the nearest branch, peeking around leaves, chirping softly.
“Dad? Where are you?”
Ramu was usually not far. He was always busy—checking the trees for ripe fruit, watching over the troop, or scouting the area to make sure no predators were lurking nearby. Even though Kiko understood none of those responsibilities, his little heart held only one wish:
To be with his father every moment he could.
A Morning of Chasing and Following
One sunny morning, Ramu swung swiftly through the canopy, his long arms carrying him with practiced ease. Behind him, Kiko clung to a vine, trying hard to keep up. His little body swung back and forth, legs kicking in the air.
“Papa! Wait for me!” he called in his tiny voice.
Ramu paused on a thick branch and turned back. His face softened. “Kiko, you should rest. You’re still small,” he said gently.
But Kiko puffed out his chest. “I’m strong! I can go with you!”
Ramu chuckled and reached out, scooping Kiko up with one strong arm. Immediately, Kiko settled into the safest place he knew—right on his father’s shoulder, tiny hands gripping his fur. His tail curled around Ramu’s arm like a warm ribbon.
Ramu continued moving, now carrying his precious passenger with ease. And Kiko? He felt like the happiest little monkey in the entire forest.
The Other Children Didn’t Understand
Sometimes the other young monkeys would run around, playing noisy games. They swung through the branches, wrestled on soft patches of moss, or raced to see who could climb the highest.
“Come play, Kiko!” they would shout.
But Kiko shook his head. “Maybe later. I want to stay with my dad.”
Some didn’t understand. They teased him lightly.
“Why do you stick to him all day?”
“You’re always with Ramu!”
“Come on, Kiko, don’t you ever get tired?”
But Kiko didn’t mind. His father was his safe place, his guide, and his comfort. As long as Ramu was around, Kiko felt like nothing bad could ever happen.
Learning From His Father
Ramu didn’t push Kiko away or tell him to stop following. He understood why the little one stayed so close. Kiko’s mother had disappeared when he was still very young. No one knew where she’d gone. Ever since then, Ramu had been Kiko’s world.
So Ramu made sure to include his son in everything he did.
When Ramu searched for fruits, he let Kiko sniff each one, learning which were ripe and which were not. When Ramu climbed tall branches to scout the area, he placed Kiko safely in the fork of a tree, explaining while pointing at the horizon.
“See those trees moving? That means strong wind is coming.”
“Listen closely. That call means another troop is nearby.”
“Smell this leaf—this is good for your belly when it hurts.”
Kiko listened to every word, storing them in his little mind like precious treasures.
He didn’t want to be with his father just because he felt lonely.
He wanted to learn.
He wanted to grow.
He wanted to be like Ramu someday—strong, brave, and caring.
One Day, Ramu Had to Leave
One afternoon, the troop grew restless. Loud calls echoed among the trees. The older monkeys gathered in a circle, discussing something with concerned faces. Kiko clung to Ramu’s leg, sensing the tension.
Ramu knelt beside him and stroked his small head. “Kiko, I need to go with the others for a little while.”
Kiko immediately shook his head. “No! I’ll go too!”
Ramu frowned gently. “It might be dangerous. You must stay here. Wait with Elder Mara.”
Kiko’s heart squeezed. He didn’t want to be left behind—not even for a moment.
“Please, Dad… I want to stay with you,” he whispered, eyes shimmering with fear.
Ramu hugged him tightly, pressing his cheek against Kiko’s tiny head. “I know. But I will come back. And when I do, you can stay beside me all you want.”
Kiko didn’t argue. He trusted Ramu more than anything, so he nodded softly, though tears slid from his eyes.
Ramu gave him one last squeeze, then climbed up with the troop, vanishing into the thick leaves above.
The Longest Wait of Kiko’s Life
Time passed slowly. Kiko sat beside Elder Mara, watching the canopy. The sky grew golden, then dim. Every rustle made him look up with hope—only to be disappointed.
“Will he come back soon?” Kiko asked for the tenth time.
Mara stroked his back, her voice full of warmth. “Your father loves you more than anything. He will come back.”
Kiko curled up, hugging his tail, fighting sleep. He didn’t want to close his eyes in case Ramu returned and couldn’t find him.
Then—
At last—
A familiar call echoed from above.
“Ki-koooo!”
Kiko’s head shot up. His heart jumped. Ramu descended quickly, landing on the branch with a soft thud.
Before Ramu could take a step, Kiko leaped into his arms, hugging him tightly.
“Dad! You’re back! I missed you!”
Ramu wrapped both arms around him. “I missed you too, my little one.”
Kiko buried his face in his father’s chest. The world felt warm again. Safe again. Complete again.
In that moment, Ramu understood something deeper than ever:
Kiko didn’t just follow him because he was afraid.
He followed him because he loved him.
Because fathers weren’t just protectors—they were home.
Together Again
From that day on, Kiko stayed closer to Ramu than ever. And Ramu didn’t mind. He lifted Kiko onto his back, carried him during long hikes, taught him new things, and shared every moment with him.
The other monkeys no longer teased him. They saw the bond between father and child—a bond filled with trust, warmth, and gentle understanding.
And every night, before falling asleep, Kiko curled beside his father and whispered the same sentence in his soft, sleepy voice:
“I just want to be with you, Dad.”
And Ramu would smile, holding him close.
“You always will be.”
