The early morning sunlight spilled softly through the tall forest trees, painting warm patches of gold across the ground. Birds chirped in cheerful bursts, leaves rustled with the cool breeze, and the entire forest seemed alive and awake—except for one tiny creature who wasn’t acting like himself at all.
Little Miko, the smallest monkey in his troop, was usually the most energetic of them all. He was famous for bouncing from vine to vine, racing across the branches, and making little happy squeaks that always made the others laugh. But today… something was different.
Miko sat by himself near a wide tree root, holding his tiny hands close to his chest. His usually bright eyes looked sleepy and confused. He wasn’t climbing. He wasn’t playing. He wasn’t even eating the tasty fruit his mother brought him.
The other monkeys began to notice right away.
“Why is Miko sitting so still?” Lala, a young monkey with fluffy ears, whispered to her friend Yumi.
“I don’t know,” Yumi said, tilting her head. “He doesn’t look hurt, but… he looks worried.”
Miko’s mother, Hana, rushed over gently. She brushed back the fur on her baby’s forehead and gave him a warm cuddle.
“Miko, sweetheart,” she murmured softly, “what’s wrong? Did something scare you?”
The little monkey didn’t answer at first. He blinked slowly, then looked up with big watery eyes.
“My tummy…” Miko whispered.
Hana felt a spark of worry. Miko loved eating fruit more than anything else. If he was too uncomfortable to eat, something must have happened.
“What happened to this little monkey?” she wondered.
Just then, Grandpa Tono, the wise old monkey of the troop, wandered over. “Hmm,” he hummed thoughtfully, “when a little monkey suddenly stops playing, it usually means he needs our help.”
He crouched down beside Miko and spoke in his gentle, low voice. “Tell us, little one. Did something happen yesterday?”
Miko hesitated—then slowly nodded.
The other monkeys leaned in.
“Okay,” Grandpa Tono encouraged, “why don’t you tell us what happened? We’re all here for you.”
Miko took a deep breath.
“Yesterday… after everyone went to look for food, I stayed near the small stream,” he began. “I saw a shiny berry on the ground. It looked really yummy. I thought maybe I could save it for snack time.”
Lala gasped. “A shiny berry? You mean those bright red ones near the water?”
Miko nodded again.
Grandpa Tono’s eyes widened slightly. “Ah… those berries are not good for little monkeys. They’re not poisonous, but they can make your tummy feel upset.”
Hana hugged her baby even closer. “Oh, Miko. You should’ve called me. I would’ve checked it for you.”
Miko lowered his head. “I didn’t want to bother anyone… and it looked so sweet.”
The rest of the troop shared sympathetic looks. Everyone made small mistakes when they were young. Miko wasn’t in trouble—they just needed to help him feel better.
Grandpa Tono stood up with a determined nod. “No need to worry! We know exactly what to do.”
The troop sprang into action like a well-practiced team.
Yumi darted off to gather fresh leaves known for calming stomachs. Lala jumped from branch to branch picking soft, ripe bananas that were gentle for sick baby monkeys. The older monkeys fetched water from the stream, while Hana kept rubbing Miko’s back in slow circles.
Soon, a small pile of comforting forest remedies lay neatly near Miko’s feet.
“Here, sweet one,” Hana whispered, offering him a bit of leaf tea. “Drink slowly.”
Miko took a careful sip. It tasted slightly bitter, but warm and soothing. He felt a tiny comfort settle in his belly.
“Now try a banana,” Lala said with a supportive grin. “It’s super soft. I picked the best one!”
Miko opened his mouth and took a bite. The sweet, gentle taste was soft on his stomach, and he felt a warm relief spreading through him.
The troop all watched, smiles growing when Miko finally let out a tiny sigh of relief.
But the day wasn’t over yet.
As Miko rested under a cozy pile of leaves, his friends decided to cheer him up. Yumi clapped her hands and jumped onto a low branch.
“Let’s make Miko laugh!” she declared.
The monkeys loved this idea. One by one, they started doing little tricks to brighten his day. Lala somersaulted across the ground. Tono puffed out his cheeks until he looked like a round fruit. Miko’s father shook a vine and made leaves rain down like forest confetti.
Even Miko, lying quietly under his leafy blanket, couldn’t help but giggle.
Slowly, the little monkey began feeling like himself again.
When he finally stood up, still a little slow but much more comfortable, the troop gathered around him protectively.
Hana planted a gentle kiss on his head. “Next time you see something strange to eat, call me first, okay?”
Miko nodded. “I will. I promise.”
Grandpa Tono patted him on the back. “Little mistakes help us learn big lessons. What matters is that you’re safe—and that you have family who cares.”
The other young monkeys cheered. “Let’s take him to the sunny rock! Warmth will help his tummy too!”
They all headed to a large flat rock where sunlight pooled like warm honey. Miko lay on his stomach while the others sat around him, talking, joking, and making sure he didn’t feel alone for a second.
The warmth relaxed him. His tummy no longer twisted. And slowly—very slowly—he drifted into a peaceful nap while his troop kept watch.
A few hours later, he woke up with a burst of energy.
“Look!” Miko squeaked, hopping onto a branch. “I feel better!”
Lala clapped. “Yay! He’s back!”
Yumi threw her arms into the air. “Then let the climbing race begin!”
Even the adults laughed when the youngsters started racing up and down the tree trunks. Miko wasn’t the fastest that day, but he was definitely the happiest.
By evening, when the sun dipped low and the forest turned soft and golden again, the troop settled into their favorite sleeping tree. Miko curled up next to his mother, feeling warm, safe, and loved.
As he drifted off to sleep, he thought quietly:
“Now I know… I should always ask before eating something new. And no matter what happens, I’m never alone.”
And the forest whispered softly around him—as if agreeing.
