It was a quiet morning on the farm. The sun peeked through the clouds as the animals stirred awake, each preparing for a new day. CUTIS, the clever and ever-curious caretaker, had risen early, brushing off the morning dew from his shoulders. But this wasn’t just any day. Today, he had a plan—a secret plan, one that he hadn’t told anyone about. Not even Mom.
Beside him was the mischievous but sweet baby monkey, Lu, hopping excitedly from one foot to the other. Though young, Lu had a knack for understanding emotions, and for the past few weeks, he had sensed that something was different about Mom. She wasn’t moving as quickly. She sat down often, rubbed her belly more, and sometimes looked tired or teary-eyed for no reason.
What CUTIS and Lu had learned recently made their hearts swell with both excitement and worry—Mom was pregnant. And not just that—she was expecting her baby very soon.
As the days passed, CUTIS noticed how Mom kept going despite her discomfort. She cooked, cleaned, and cared for the animals with a smile, though her back ached, and her feet swelled. Baby Lu, sensitive to her every expression, would crawl into her lap or gently stroke her belly, trying to cheer her up in his own little way.
CUTIS felt something stir inside him. He had always loved and respected Mom, but now, more than ever, he wanted to do something to show how much she meant to him. Not just as a caretaker, but as family. He looked over at baby Lu, who tilted his head as if asking, What now?
CUTIS whispered, “Let’s do something she’ll never expect—something that will show her how much we love her.”
And so, the two of them began their secret mission.
Over the next few days, whenever Mom rested or wasn’t looking, CUTIS and Lu quietly got to work. They gathered bamboo, rope, dried flowers, and even some colorful fabrics that Thuy, the neighbor, had left behind after her last visit. CUTIS had a plan in his head, but executing it wasn’t easy. They had to work in the hidden part of the barn, where Mom never went anymore because it was a bit far and cluttered.
Lu, though small, was surprisingly helpful. He carried little tools, climbed up high shelves, and held things in place while CUTIS tied knots or nailed boards together. There were times they made loud noises, and both would freeze, listening to see if Mom had heard. But she never came. She must’ve assumed they were just playing.
CUTIS was building something—a surprise that had never been done before in their family. He wanted to make a cozy resting space, a baby-safe nursery for the new arrival. Not just any space—it would be a sanctuary made from love, care, and clever hands. A beautiful little room filled with warmth, color, and joy.
They even made a welcome sign using twigs and colored leaves that spelled “HELLO LITTLE ONE.”
Word spread quickly across the little community. Neighbors came to see the nursery. Some were moved to tears. Others brought small gifts—pillows, soft toys, even a lullaby music box.
Thuy smiled warmly and said, “CUTIS, you’ve always been clever. But today, you proved you have the biggest heart too.”
And baby Lu? He beamed with pride every time someone complimented the mobile he had helped hang.
Weeks later, when Mom gave birth to a healthy baby girl, the first place she brought her was to the secret nursery. CUTIS and Lu were there, waiting with open arms and warm hearts.
The baby blinked up at the leaves, shells, and drawings above, and for the first time, she smiled.
And in that quiet, joy-filled moment, CUTIS and Lu knew: their unimaginable secret mission had turned into a gift that would live in their family’s heart forever.
The End.
