The afternoon sun filtered through the green canopy of trees in the quiet little village. Birds chirped cheerfully, leaves rustled gently in the breeze, and in the distance, the sound of children’s laughter carried across the fields. In the small yard behind their home, Dad was busy preparing the vegetable patch for the next planting. But something was bothering him—everywhere he looked, tiny insects were swarming, chewing on the young leaves he had carefully nurtured.
He sighed and wiped the sweat from his forehead. “These little bugs are going to ruin the whole garden,” he muttered. That was when he remembered the one helper in the family who always seemed to find joy in the smallest adventures.
“Bibi!” Dad called out loudly, his voice carrying across the yard.
Bibi Comes Running
From the corner of the house, a little monkey came bounding happily. Bibi, the mischievous yet clever baby monkey, tilted her head curiously. Her wide eyes sparkled with excitement whenever Dad called her name. She knew it always meant something interesting.
“What is it, Dad?” she chattered, scampering over and clinging to his leg affectionately.
Dad crouched down and pointed at the leaves. “Look, Bibi. Insects. They’re eating all the vegetables. We need to catch them before they ruin everything. Can you help me?”
Bibi’s little tail flicked happily as she clapped her hands. She loved catching things—whether it was a moving leaf, a fluttering butterfly, or even her own reflection in the water. The challenge always brought out her playful spirit.
The First Hunt
With a determined squeak, Bibi rushed toward the vegetable patch. She leaned close to the plants, her nose twitching as she inspected every leaf. Dad followed behind, carrying a small basket.
The first insect—a fat green grasshopper—jumped across a bean plant. Bibi’s eyes widened, and she launched herself after it. Her little hands moved quickly, but the grasshopper leaped away, leaving her grasping only air.
Dad chuckled. “Careful, Bibi. They’re fast. You have to be patient.”
Bibi pouted for a moment, then crouched low, her eyes fixed on the next movement. This time, when the grasshopper jumped, she darted forward and cupped it in her tiny hands. Her face lit up with triumph as she held it out proudly to Dad.
“Good job!” Dad praised, dropping the insect gently into the basket.
A Game of Teamwork
From then on, catching insects became a game. Dad pointed out beetles hiding under leaves, and Bibi quickly scooped them up. Sometimes she would sneak a look at Dad, waiting for him to notice her cleverness before proudly showing off her catch.
Other times, she would chase after flying bugs, jumping and flipping in the air like a little acrobat. Her playful antics made Dad laugh so hard he nearly dropped his basket.
At one point, a big butterfly fluttered by, and Bibi abandoned the garden entirely to chase it. She leaped, twirled, and ran in circles, squealing with delight. Dad shook his head with a smile. “Bibi, that’s not an insect we need to catch. But you’re having fun, aren’t you?”
Bibi didn’t answer—she was too busy clapping her hands each time the butterfly slipped just out of reach.
Trouble in the Garden
But not all insects were easy to catch. Some were stubborn, clinging tightly to the stems, refusing to move no matter how hard Bibi tugged. Others flew high above her head, taunting her with buzzing wings.
At one point, a small bee zoomed near Bibi, and she shrieked, hiding behind Dad’s leg. “Don’t worry,” Dad reassured her gently. “Not every insect is safe to touch. Some you leave alone.”
Bibi peeked out cautiously, watching the bee fly away. She stuck her tongue out at it, making Dad laugh again.
The Big Discovery
As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Bibi spotted something unusual. On the underside of a cabbage leaf, dozens of tiny green insects clustered together. Her eyes widened in alarm. She tugged urgently on Dad’s shirt, pointing with frantic little squeaks.
Dad leaned closer. His face grew serious. “Aphids,” he said. “That’s bad. If they spread, the whole patch could be ruined.”
Bibi tilted her head, not understanding the words, but she sensed Dad’s concern. She reached out and began picking them off carefully, one by one, dropping them into the basket. Her tiny fingers moved quickly, and Dad helped by spraying the plants gently with a safe solution to wash the rest away.
Together, they worked side by side, saving the cabbages from the swarm.
The Reward
By the time evening settled in, the basket was half full of wriggling insects. Bibi sat proudly on Dad’s shoulder, her chest puffed out with pride. She had worked hard, and it showed.
“You did great today, Bibi,” Dad said warmly. “You saved the garden.”
He handed her a juicy slice of mango as a reward. Bibi squealed happily, stuffing it into her mouth with both hands. Sweet juice dribbled down her chin, but she didn’t care. She was too busy savoring the taste of victory.
Dad chuckled as he watched her. “My little helper,” he said softly.
The Lesson
That night, as Bibi curled up in her blanket, she replayed the day in her little mind. She had chased, leaped, caught, and even faced her fear of buzzing bees. Most importantly, she had helped Dad.
For Dad, it wasn’t just about saving the vegetables—it was about sharing the work with someone he loved. He realized that even the smallest hands (or paws) could make a big difference when guided with patience and love.
And so, in their quiet home, a simple day of catching insects became a memory of laughter, teamwork, and the bond between father and his mischievous little monkey.
Epilogue: The Garden Thrives
In the weeks that followed, the garden flourished. Vegetables grew strong and healthy, free from the damage of pests. Neighbors admired the lush patch, asking Dad what his secret was. He would just smile, glancing at Bibi, who sat nearby nibbling on fruit.
“My secret?” Dad would say with a wink. “The best insect catcher in the world.”
And Bibi, hearing her name, would clap her hands proudly, ready to jump into action again at Dad’s call.
