It was a peaceful, sunny morning on the farm. Birds chirped softly in the trees, and the gentle wind rustled the leaves. Inside the farmhouse, little Lu the baby monkey was curled up beside her favorite human—Farmer CUTIS. The two were best friends, always playing together, napping together, and even sneaking treats together when no one was looking.
CUTIS was known for his gentle heart and curious nature. He loved helping everyone—animals, neighbors, even insects. But he was also known for something else: trouble. Not on purpose, of course! CUTIS never meant to cause chaos. He just had a way of getting into things he probably shouldn’t.
And today was one of those days.
Lu was still half-asleep when CUTIS tiptoed past her, his face full of mischief. He peeked into the kitchen and glanced around. No sign of Mom. She was out tending the garden. That meant one thing: the house was all his!
Lu opened one eye and instantly had a bad feeling.
“CUTIS?” she squeaked in a high-pitched monkey voice, scrambling to her feet. “What are you doing?”
But it was too late.
CUTIS had already entered the forbidden zone: Mom’s special room.
This was not just any room. It was where Mom kept her fancy vases, candles, perfumes, and shiny boxes with things Lu didn’t even understand. CUTIS, however, loved shiny things. And today, he had a goal: find the hidden cookies.
“Oh no, no, no!” Lu screeched, racing after him. Her tiny monkey feet padded across the wooden floor.
Inside the room, CUTIS had climbed up onto a table to inspect a glass jar filled with pink candy. As he reached for it, his elbow bumped a perfume bottle. It wobbled. Lu gasped.
“CUTIS, watch out!”
Too late.
CRASH!
The bottle shattered on the floor, and the strong scent of roses filled the air.
Lu’s eyes widened. She grabbed her head. “This is bad! This is SO bad!”
But CUTIS wasn’t done.
Now he’d found a hairbrush with a golden handle. He spun it like a sword, knocking over a candle that fell onto a silk scarf.
“PUT THAT DOWN!” Lu shrieked. “MOM’S GONNA COME BACK AND SEE THIS!”
Still, CUTIS danced across the room like a knight on a mission. He leaped onto a chair, knocking it over with a thud. The sound echoed through the house.
Lu ran in circles, screaming. “SOMEONE DO SOMETHING! CALL MOM! CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT! CALL THE PRESIDENT!”
CUTIS finally stopped, panting. His hair stood up from static, and glitter from Mom’s makeup case was stuck to his cheeks.
The room? Completely wrecked.
A broken mirror lay against the wall. Lipstick streaked across the curtains. A vase lay in three neat pieces on the floor.
“Cutis,” Lu whispered, eyes wide with fear. “What have you done?”
CUTIS blinked at her, suddenly realizing what had just happened. His excitement drained away. Now there was just a pit in his stomach.
Then came the sound both of them dreaded: Mom’s footsteps.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Lu screamed again, hiding behind a pile of pillows. “WE’RE DOOMED! HIDE! FLY AWAY! BECOME INVISIBLE!”
CUTIS stood frozen like a statue.
The door creaked open. Mom stepped in and froze. Her eyes scanned the room slowly, taking in the disaster.
There was a long silence.
Then, in the softest, most dangerous voice, she said, “What…happened…here?”
CUTIS looked at the floor. He kicked a glittery sock. Lu peeked out from behind the pillows, eyes full of guilt and fear.
“I just wanted… cookies,” CUTIS mumbled.
Lu stepped forward, trembling. “It was an accident! I told him not to go in! I told him! But he didn’t listen!”
Mom sighed. Not the angry kind of sigh, but the kind that made your heart drop. She crouched down and looked CUTIS in the eyes.
“CUTIS,” she said gently, “you have to understand. This room is full of special things. Not because they’re expensive, but because they matter to me. You can’t just go into places and touch everything.”
CUTIS nodded, sniffing. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
Lu hugged him tightly. “I screamed a lot,” she admitted. “But only because I was scared for you. You really could’ve gotten hurt!”
Mom smiled faintly. “Thank you, Lu. I know you were trying to help.”
Then she clapped her hands. “Alright! You made the mess, so now you help clean it up. Both of you!”
Lu and CUTIS exchanged looks, then nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Together, they picked up the pieces. Lu held the broom while CUTIS swept. They wiped the glitter off the floor, folded scarves, and stacked boxes neatly. It took nearly an hour, but finally, the room looked decent again.
Mom returned and inspected it.
“Hm,” she said. “Not perfect. But it’s a good start.”
She walked over to the kitchen. Lu and CUTIS followed, wondering if they were still in trouble. But then Mom opened a tin and handed them each a chocolate chip cookie.
“Next time,” she said, raising an eyebrow, “just ask for cookies.”
CUTIS grinned, mouth full of chocolate. “Deal.”
Lu relaxed at last. “I thought you were going to turn us into frogs or something.”
Mom laughed. “Don’t tempt me.”
That night, as they snuggled in bed, Lu looked at CUTIS and said, “You really scared me today.”
CUTIS nodded. “I scared me too.”
“But I’m glad you’re okay,” Lu whispered.
“Me too.”
And with that, the troublemaker and his tiny monkey friend drifted off to sleep, dreaming of cookies, perfume bottles, and maybe—just maybe—learning to stay out of Mom’s stuff.
