The golden rays of the morning sun gently stretched across the green fields of the countryside, where life moved at a slower, more peaceful pace. Farmer CUTIS, a man known for his generosity and gentle heart, was busy in his small wooden house on the edge of the rice paddies. Beside him, clinging to his shoulder with curious eyes, was a tiny baby monkey named Lala, his mischievous but loving companion.
Today was no ordinary day. CUTIS had received a letter two weeks ago—Cubis, his old friend, and Uncle Tu, the kind-hearted elder who had always guided him, were coming to visit after many months apart. This news filled CUTIS with excitement and nostalgia. These were the people who had stood by him during tough times, and now he wanted to make their reunion unforgettable.
But CUTIS didn’t want it to be just any welcome. He wanted something special, something that would warm their hearts and show how much he valued them. That’s when he looked at Lala, who tilted her little head, as if asking, “What’s the plan, CUTIS?”
And just like that, the secret mission began.
The Big Idea
“Lala, we’re going to surprise them with something amazing!” CUTIS whispered, lowering his voice as if the walls had ears. Lala squeaked in excitement, hopping onto the table and grabbing a banana from the fruit basket. CUTIS chuckled. “Yes, yes, bananas will be part of it… but we need more than that.”
CUTIS thought for a long moment, staring out at his garden, then snapped his fingers. “We’ll prepare a welcome feast—but not just food. We’ll decorate the yard, light lanterns, and make a stage for some fun games. It’ll be a true countryside celebration!”
Lala clapped her tiny hands and jumped onto CUTIS’s shoulder again, as if giving her approval. The two quickly set to work, planning every detail without telling anyone else.
Secret Preparations Begin
The first task was to clean and prepare the yard. CUTIS grabbed a broom and swept away dry leaves while Lala did her best to help. The little monkey picked up twigs and tossed them into a basket, though every now and then, she got distracted by butterflies fluttering nearby. CUTIS laughed but gently reminded her, “Focus, little one! We have to finish before they arrive.”
Next came the decorations. CUTIS climbed up the big mango tree to hang colorful lanterns while Lala scurried up beside him, carrying tiny ribbons in her mouth. The scene was almost comical—an energetic monkey passing ribbons to a hardworking farmer high up in a tree. Together, they transformed the humble yard into a warm, festive space.
But CUTIS wasn’t done yet. He had another surprise planned: a hand-painted welcome sign. Late into the night, after Lala had fallen asleep curled up in a basket, CUTIS stayed awake, brushing vibrant colors onto a wooden board: “Welcome Cubis & Uncle Tu!”
Cooking Up Memories
The next morning, CUTIS woke up before sunrise. He tiptoed around the house, careful not to wake Lala, and began preparing the dishes that would remind his friends of their childhood. He steamed fragrant sticky rice, grilled fresh fish from the river, and simmered a pot of sweet coconut dessert. The aroma soon filled the entire house.
Lala, woken by the delicious smell, came running into the kitchen, her tiny eyes wide with curiosity. CUTIS laughed. “You’re awake just in time, little helper! Here, taste this.” He offered her a small piece of sticky rice. Lala took it eagerly, smacking her lips in approval.
Then came the funniest part—Lala decided to help by peeling bananas for dessert. She was surprisingly good at it, though she kept sneaking bites for herself. CUTIS couldn’t stop laughing. “If there’s any left, we might have enough for our guests!”
Adding the Final Touch
As the clock ticked closer to noon, everything was almost ready. The yard sparkled with colorful ribbons and lanterns. A bamboo mat was laid out under the mango tree, covered with delicious dishes. CUTIS placed fresh flowers in a clay vase at the center, while Lala proudly held the welcome sign as if guarding it.
Then, CUTIS had one last idea. He brought out his old guitar and tuned it carefully. Music had always been a big part of their friendship, and he wanted to play their favorite song when Cubis and Uncle Tu arrived.
“Everything is perfect,” CUTIS whispered, looking around with satisfaction. Lala squealed happily, hopping from tree to tree in pure excitement.
The Arrival
Just as the afternoon sun began to mellow, a distant sound of footsteps and laughter echoed down the dirt path. CUTIS’s heart skipped a beat. He turned to Lala. “They’re here!”
Sure enough, Cubis—tall, cheerful, and carrying a big smile—walked toward the house, followed by Uncle Tu, whose gentle eyes lit up at the sight of CUTIS. “My boy!” Uncle Tu called out warmly.
CUTIS ran to greet them, bowing respectfully to Uncle Tu and hugging Cubis tightly. “It’s been too long, my friends!” he exclaimed, his voice trembling with happiness.
But before they could say another word, Lala came bouncing over with the welcome sign, holding it up high. Everyone burst out laughing at the adorable sight.
