The morning sun rose gently over the village, painting the sky in soft shades of pink and gold. Roosters crowed, leaves rustled in the light breeze, and the sound of laughter echoed from a small yard at the edge of the village. In that yard lived a lively family: a farmer named Kien, his kind wife, their little daughter, and their most unusual family member—an energetic baby monkey named Lala.
But Lala wasn’t alone in her adventures. The family also kept three playful dogs: Max, a big golden retriever with a gentle heart; Coco, a smart black-and-white border collie; and Tiny, a feisty little terrier who never let his size stop him from trying to be the leader of the group. Together, the dogs and the baby monkey made quite a sight, turning every day into a whirlwind of games, chases, and laughter.
This morning, however, something extraordinary was happening. The baby monkey had woken up with her tiny straw hat and a little basket in her hands. She was ready for a walk. As soon as she toddled into the yard, the dogs’ ears perked up and their tails wagged wildly. They knew exactly what she wanted—and they were determined to be the one to take her.
Max, with his calm confidence, padded forward first. He nudged the little monkey gently with his nose, almost saying, “I’ll take care of you, climb on my back.” But before Lala could decide, Coco darted in front, barking excitedly and wagging his tail. His bright eyes sparkled, and he seemed to say, “No, no, I’m faster and smarter! I’ll show you the best paths.”
Tiny wasn’t about to be left out. He bounced and barked, circling around Lala, tugging gently at the ribbon tied to her basket. “Pick me! Pick me! I may be small, but I can take you places those two can’t!”
The yard suddenly turned into a lively competition.
Max stretched out like a living throne, lowering his body to the ground so Lala could climb on his broad back. He even wagged his tail slowly, promising comfort and stability. Coco, meanwhile, performed tricks to impress her—spinning in circles, hopping over a stool, and even herding the chickens away to clear a safe path. Tiny, determined not to be overshadowed, ran and fetched a stick, dropping it proudly at Lala’s feet as if it were a grand offering.
The baby monkey clapped her little hands and squealed with delight. She didn’t quite understand the competition but loved the attention. She put on her straw hat and looked from one dog to the next, clearly enjoying being the center of their excitement.
“Who should I pick today?” her sparkling eyes seemed to ask.
Kien, watching from the porch with his daughter, laughed heartily. “It looks like the dogs are competing again,” he said. “Poor Lala, she can’t choose just one.”
But the dogs weren’t about to give up. Max gently picked up the monkey’s basket with his mouth, showing he was ready to carry it for her. Coco barked and pranced toward the garden gate, urging her to follow him to the open fields. Tiny tugged at her little scarf and stood on his hind legs, as if pleading, “Come with me, I’ll make it fun!”
Finally, Lala made her choice—or at least she tried to. She toddled over to Max and patted his golden fur, clearly trusting his big, steady frame. Max’s chest puffed with pride. He lowered his back again, and the baby monkey clambered up, hugging his neck. Just as they were about to set off, Coco barked indignantly, ran ahead, and blocked the path. Tiny barked even louder, trying to rally support.
It became a playful tug-of-war. Coco dashed in circles, as if leading the way. Tiny nipped at Max’s tail to slow him down. Max, however, stayed calm and carried the little monkey with steady dignity.
The villagers passing by stopped to watch. Children giggled, mothers shook their heads in amusement, and fathers smiled at the heartwarming scene: three dogs trying their best to outshine one another, all for the honor of walking a baby monkey.
To settle the matter, the farmer’s daughter had a clever idea. She ran into the yard with a bright red rope. “Let’s make it fair,” she said. She tied the rope gently around Max, Coco, and Tiny, harnessing them together. Then she placed the other end of the rope in Lala’s tiny hand. “Now all three can walk her together!”
At first, the dogs looked confused. Max tilted his head, Coco barked once in question, and Tiny yipped in protest. But when Lala waved the rope and gave a happy squeal, they all understood. The competition melted into cooperation.
So off they went—the little monkey holding her basket, perched proudly as if she were the queen of the morning walk, while three dogs pulled together, guiding her through the garden paths, the rice fields, and toward the shady mango trees beyond.
The walk was filled with laughter and surprises. Coco led them to a small stream where the cool water sparkled. Max stopped by the edge, letting Lala dip her fingers in and giggle at the ripples. Tiny found a patch of butterflies and barked furiously until they scattered like bits of flying sunlight, making Lala clap with joy.
Every step of the journey was like a story written in the dust of the paths. The dogs, though they had started out as rivals, quickly realized that together they could give Lala a much better adventure than alone. Max kept her safe and steady. Coco found exciting new places. Tiny added fun and energy with his playful antics.
By the time they returned home, the baby monkey was tired but happy, her basket filled with little treasures—wildflowers Coco sniffed out, smooth pebbles Tiny dug up, and a mango Max had gently carried. She climbed off Max’s back and hugged each dog in turn, patting their heads as if awarding medals.
Max wagged his tail slowly, proud to have been the sturdy protector. Coco barked happily, proud of his discoveries. Tiny rolled on his back and kicked his legs, proud to have kept everyone laughing.
The farmer and his family watched with warm smiles. “Look at them,” Kien said softly. “Even animals can teach us something: sometimes it’s not about competing, but about sharing the joy together.”
That night, as the moonlight spread silver over the village, the dogs curled around the little monkey like loyal guardians. Max was on one side, Coco on the other, and Tiny nestled at her feet. The day’s rivalry was forgotten. What remained was a bond of trust, love, and companionship that only grew stronger with every walk they shared.
And so, in that small village, every morning became a delightful event: the dogs competing, then cooperating, to take the baby monkey for her walk. The villagers would smile, the children would laugh, and Lala would wave her little hat proudly as if leading a parade.
The truth was simple—whether they were rivals or teammates, the dogs and the baby monkey had turned ordinary walks into extraordinary adventures, weaving a story of friendship that the village would remember for years to come.
