


The morning sun stretched lazily across the rice fields, casting golden light over the small rural village where Farmer CUTIS lived with his loving family and an adorable baby monkey named Momo. CUTIS had rescued Momo months ago when he found the tiny creature orphaned and shivering near the edge of the forest. Since then, Momo had become like a child to himâa mischievous, clever, and affectionate one.
Momo was more than just a pet; he was family.
That morning, everything seemed peaceful. Birds chirped, the cows mooed from their stalls, and CUTIS hummed to himself as he checked on the vegetable garden. Momo played nearby, swinging from the bamboo fence and occasionally stealing glances at a butterfly fluttering by. Life felt goodâuntil it didnât.



It all started with CUTIS wanting to help his wife, Linh, who had spent the morning cooking banana rice treats for the local market. She asked CUTIS to keep Momo distracted so he wouldnât sneak into the kitchen and steal the treats.
âKeep him busy, CUTIS!â Linh had said with a smile. âLast time, he ran off with three banana rolls and hid them in his treehouse!â
CUTIS chuckled. âDonât worry, Iâve got this.â
He led Momo out toward the back of the house where a small pond sparkled in the sun. âWant to feed the fish, little guy?â he said.
Momo clapped his hands in excitement.
CUTIS turned for just a moment to grab the fish food. But when he turned backâMomo was gone.
âMomo?â he called casually at first. âMomo? Where are you, little rascal?â
No answer.
CUTIS looked around the pond. Nothing.
He checked the treehouse. Empty.
He scanned the path toward the forest. A few small footprints led in that directionâmuddy little tracks that only Momo couldâve made.



âOh noâŚâ CUTIS muttered.
Just then, he heard a loud CRASH! followed by a splash! from the front yard. He ran around the house to find the water barrel tipped over, soaking the firewood pile. Banana rice treats were scattered across the porch, and broken pottery littered the ground.
âWHAT HAPPENED?!â Linh screamed, rushing outside. âMy banana rolls! The dishes!â
CUTISâs heart sank. And sitting in the middle of the mess was a single baby monkey paw print⌠in mashed banana.
CUTIS gulped. âIt⌠might have been Momo.â
âWHERE IS HE?!â Linhâs voice cracked. âWHEREâS MY BABY?!â
âIâI thought he was with me,â CUTIS stammered. âHe just vanished!â
Panic washed over Linhâs face. âHe ran off? Alone? Into the forest?!â
CUTIS grabbed his hat. âIâll find him! I promise!â


What CUTIS didnât know was that Momo had seen the butterfly again and, in his curiosity, followed it. The butterfly floated gently toward the front yard⌠right through the open kitchen door. And of course, Momo followed.
He didnât mean to cause trouble. But once inside, the smells were too tempting. He climbed onto the counter, knocked over a basket of fruit, slipped on a banana peel, and tipped the water barrel while trying to balance himself. Terrified after the chaos he caused, Momo panicked and did what many kids do when theyâre scared.
He hid.
There was a small wooden crate behind the house where CUTIS stored tools. Momo squeezed himself into the space behind it and curled up, tail wrapped around his body, eyes wide. He could hear CUTIS and Linh shouting, their voices full of worry. He felt guilty. So guilty. His little heart pounded. He didnât mean to make anyone sad.
Back in the house, Linh was crying. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she clutched Momoâs favorite toyâa little stuffed duck.
âWhat if something happened to him?â she whispered. âHeâs just a babyâŚâ
CUTIS searched every corner of the yard, calling Momoâs name again and again. He even ventured into the woods, his boots crunching dry leaves, but Momo was nowhere to be found.
The sun began to lower in the sky, and the air grew cooler. The whole family was now involvedâneighbors came by to help look. CUTIS stood near the tool shed, exhausted, wiping his brow.
Then⌠he heard it.
A soft whimper.
He froze. âMomo?â
Another whimper, followed by a sniffle.
CUTIS slowly walked around the shed. He knelt beside the crate.
There, trembling and covered in dust, was Momoâhis eyes wide, his little hands covering his face.
âOh⌠buddy,â CUTIS whispered, tears filling his own eyes. âThere you areâŚâ
Momo peeked out and let out a soft, apologetic squeak.
CUTIS didnât hesitate. He scooped the little monkey into his arms and held him tightly. âYou scared us so much,â he whispered. âBut itâs okay now. Youâre safe.â
Momo clung to CUTISâs shirt and began to cry. Little monkey tears dampened CUTISâs collar.
Linh came running when she heard CUTIS calling. When she saw Momo in his arms, her knees buckled with relief. âOh thank goodness,â she cried, hugging both of them. âDonât ever hide again, Momo. Just come to us if somethingâs wrong.â
Momo nodded slowly, reaching out to pat her cheek with his tiny hand, as if to say sorry.


That night, CUTIS lit a small lantern and placed it on the porch while Linh sat with Momo in her lap, feeding him small pieces of banana (from a fresh batch). Momo had cleaned up, and his fur was soft and warm against her arms.
âI think he learned his lesson,â CUTIS said with a tired chuckle.
Linh smiled. âAnd so did we. Heâs still learning, just like any child.â
Momo gave a sleepy yawn and curled into her arms.
Even though he caused big trouble that day, they all knew something important: love, patience, and forgiveness are what truly hold a family together.
And Momo? He never hid again.
Well⌠not on purpose anyway.