The sun had barely risen above the green treetops when CUTIS the farmer stretched his arms wide and stepped into the yard. His loyal companion, the baby monkey, was already awake, chattering happily while clinging to a low branch. Normally, mornings at the farm were filled with laughter, playful games, and teamwork between man and monkey. But today would turn into one of the funniest and strangest mornings CUTIS had ever experienced.
CUTIS whistled and called, “Come here, little rascal! Let’s get breakfast ready.”
The baby monkey swung down, eyes sparkling with excitement. But as soon as CUTIS offered him a banana, the monkey turned up his nose. Instead, he pointed to a shiny red apple in the basket. CUTIS laughed, shaking his head.
“No, no, apples are for Dad. You have your bananas.”
The monkey’s little face scrunched up. He crossed his arms and turned his back dramatically, tail flicking like a stubborn child. CUTIS chuckled, thinking the tantrum would pass quickly. But he was wrong.
The Argument Begins
CUTIS sat on a wooden stool, munching on a piece of bread, while the monkey stomped around the yard, glaring at him. Each time CUTIS glanced up, the monkey exaggerated his anger by puffing out his cheeks and slapping the ground.
“Are you serious?” CUTIS asked, grinning. “All this because of one apple?”
The monkey screeched, pointing at the apple basket again. CUTIS took the biggest, crunchiest bite of one, just to tease him. That was the spark. The monkey gasped, covered his mouth with both tiny hands, and then ran toward CUTIS with indignant squeals.
He leapt onto CUTIS’s shoulder, trying to grab the apple. But CUTIS twisted away, laughing so hard he almost dropped it. The two wrestled like brothers fighting over a toy. CUTIS held the apple high in the air while the monkey dangled from his arm, squeaking in frustration.
“You can’t win this one, buddy!” CUTIS teased.
The monkey finally gave up, sulking in the corner, where he stuck his tongue out at CUTIS and hugged his tail like a pillow.
Silent Treatment
For the rest of the morning, CUTIS noticed the monkey avoided him. Usually, the little one followed him everywhere—into the garden, to the goat pen, even when he carried water to the fields. But now, the monkey sat on the fence, staring at the sky, ignoring CUTIS completely.
“Come on, don’t be mad,” CUTIS tried, offering a fresh banana. “Look, your favorite!”
The monkey turned his head dramatically, refusing even to sniff it. CUTIS groaned. “You’re worse than a toddler.”
When CUTIS went to feed the chickens, the monkey hopped behind him, still pretending not to care. When CUTIS tripped over a stone and nearly fell, the monkey let out a small giggle but quickly covered his mouth, remembering he was supposed to be angry. CUTIS saw it though, and he laughed so loudly that the chickens scattered.
“You’re breaking, little one,” he teased.
The monkey pouted harder.
The Revenge Plan
By midday, CUTIS had forgotten about the apple argument. He was busy fixing a broken wooden fence near the goat pen. Sweat rolled down his forehead as he hammered away. That’s when the monkey struck back.
The baby monkey sneaked into the house and rummaged through the kitchen. A moment later, he came out carrying… an apple! Where had he found it? CUTIS must have left one on the counter.
The monkey sat right in front of CUTIS, holding the apple high with a mischievous grin. CUTIS froze mid-hammer.
“Don’t you dare,” CUTIS warned.
The monkey took the slowest, loudest bite possible. Crunch. His eyes sparkled with victory. CUTIS dropped his hammer and ran over.
“Hey, that’s mine!”
The monkey bolted, racing across the yard, apple in hand. CUTIS chased him, shouting while trying not to trip over the goats. They weaved around the trees, through the chicken coop, and back toward the house. The monkey squealed with laughter as CUTIS huffed and puffed behind him.
At one point, the monkey scrambled onto the roof of the shed, waving the apple like a trophy. CUTIS shook his head. “You little thief! You win this round.”
The monkey puffed his chest proudly and took another bite. But then—karma struck. The apple slipped from his tiny hands and fell into a muddy puddle below. Both CUTIS and the monkey froze, staring at it. CUTIS burst out laughing. The monkey looked horrified, then glared at CUTIS as if it were his fault.
Making Up
After the chase, CUTIS sat on the porch, wiping sweat from his brow. The monkey sulked again, sitting with muddy fingers and an empty stomach. CUTIS softened, knowing their silly fight had gone far enough.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of dried mango—the monkey’s second favorite treat. Slowly, he held it out.
“Truce?” he asked gently.
The monkey eyed him suspiciously but couldn’t resist. He grabbed the mango, nibbled it, and finally crawled into CUTIS’s lap. CUTIS scratched his furry head, and the tension melted away.
“You’re too funny, you know that?” CUTIS whispered. “We fight like brothers, but I can’t stay mad at you.”
The monkey cooed softly, pressing his little head against CUTIS’s chest. Their fight over the apple seemed ridiculous now, and CUTIS laughed again at how dramatic it had all been.
The Funniest Ending
By late afternoon, everything seemed back to normal. CUTIS worked in the garden while the monkey helped by carrying tiny leaves and twigs. At one point, CUTIS leaned over to pick up his water jug. The monkey, wanting to show he was no longer angry, tried to help. He grabbed the jug—but it was too heavy. With a loud squeak, he tipped it over, splashing both of them from head to toe.
CUTIS stood dripping wet, staring at the monkey, who blinked innocently. Then they both burst into uncontrollable laughter, rolling on the grass together.
“Alright, alright,” CUTIS said between laughs, “I forgive you. But next time, just ask for the apple instead of turning into a drama king!”
The monkey squeaked happily, hugging CUTIS’s neck tightly.
As the sun set behind the trees, painting the sky in warm orange hues, CUTIS and the baby monkey sat side by side on the porch. Their earlier argument seemed like a silly memory, and CUTIS realized that life with his little companion was never boring. Even their fights turned into the funniest adventures.
And that night, as they shared a late snack—an apple sliced neatly in two—CUTIS thought, Funniest ever. Nothing in the world could make me trade this mischievous little rascal.
