





In the quiet warmth of a late tropical morning, the forest hummed with life. Birds chirped overhead, leaves rustled in the soft breeze, and the scent of wildflowers lingered in the air. Deep inside this lush world, CUTIS—a clever, kind-hearted farmer—moved with quiet urgency. He wasn’t searching for crops today. He was on a mission to save a life.
It all began earlier that morning when CUTIS went to check on the animals near the edge of the forest. Among them was a baby monkey named Lulu, who had recently been orphaned and taken in by CUTIS. Normally energetic and playful, Lulu was unusually still. She lay curled in a small blanket, eyes half-closed, her breathing shallow.
CUTIS knelt beside her, his heart tightening with worry. He gently touched her forehead. It was warm—too warm. Something was wrong.
CUTIS didn’t wait. He carried Lulu into his hut and placed her in a soft basket. “Hold on, little one,” he whispered, brushing her fur gently. “I’ll find a way.”
He had no medicine, and the closest vet was too far. But CUTIS was no ordinary farmer. He had grown up in these forests, raised by his grandmother who taught him the healing secrets of nature. He remembered one special leaf she once showed him—large, glossy, with a silver underside that shimmered in sunlight. She called it “Slek Thmor”—meaning “stone leaf” in the local dialect. It was rare, only found near waterfalls, and believed to carry natural cooling and healing properties.






Without wasting time, CUTIS grabbed his woven bag, a machete, and a bottle of water. He glanced at Lulu one more time before heading into the forest. “Stay strong, my baby,” he whispered.
The trek to the waterfall was not easy. The path was overgrown, slippery in parts, and buzzing with insects. But CUTIS moved swiftly, driven by love and determination. Along the way, he kept his eyes peeled for the strange leaf. Hours passed. Sweat soaked his shirt, and his legs ached. Still, he pressed on.
Finally, he heard the roar of falling water. The sight of the sparkling stream and misty air brought a surge of hope. He scanned the area, and there it was—growing on the mossy side of a stone wall, three feet above the ground—Slek Thmor. Its silver undersides flickered in the dappled sunlight, just as he remembered.
With steady hands, CUTIS climbed up, careful not to damage the plant. He picked three mature leaves, placing them gently into his bag. Before leaving, he whispered thanks to the forest. “Please help me save her.”
Back home, Lulu’s condition had worsened. She hadn’t moved from the blanket. Her eyes were barely open now. CUTIS didn’t waste a second. He crushed one of the strange leaves gently, extracting a few drops of its natural juice. He mixed it with a spoonful of warm water and carefully dripped it into Lulu’s mouth.







Then, using the rest of the crushed leaf, he made a cool poultice and wrapped it in cloth, placing it gently on her forehead and chest. He sat by her side, fanning her softly, murmuring comforting words.
The hours that followed were tense. CUTIS barely moved. He refused to eat, focused only on Lulu. The sun dipped low, and stars began to prick the sky. Then, just as night settled in, Lulu stirred.
It was small—a twitch of her fingers, then a blink. Her breathing eased. CUTIS leaned in. “Lulu?” he whispered.
Her eyes fluttered open, just for a moment. Then came a faint sound—a soft, tired chirp. CUTIS broke into a relieved smile. “You’re going to be okay.”
Over the next few days, CUTIS continued the leaf treatment. He made her drink water laced with the healing juice twice a day, applied the leaf poultices to reduce her fever, and made sure she stayed warm and comfortable. Slowly but surely, Lulu regained her strength.





By the fourth day, she sat up. By the sixth, she tried to climb CUTIS’s shoulder again. Her energy returned, and with it, her playful spirit.
Word of Lulu’s recovery spread through the village. People were amazed to hear that a simple forest leaf had such power. Neighbors came to visit, bringing fruits, milk, and even herbal teas for CUTIS and Lulu. Many asked him about the “strange leaf” and how to find it.
CUTIS smiled humbly and shared what he knew. “Nature gives us many gifts,” he said. “But only if we listen.”
Lulu became a beloved figure in the village. Children came daily to play with her. She followed CUTIS everywhere—perched on his shoulder, jumping onto his back, or helping him pick fruits. The bond between them had deepened, forged by the near-tragic moment they’d overcome together.
But CUTIS never forgot the lesson. He made it a point to care for the area near the waterfall, planting more Slek Thmor plants and teaching others how to protect the forest. “This leaf saved a life,” he told them. “We must protect where it grows.”
Soon, the village began including Slek Thmor in their herbal remedies. Healers studied its cooling effects, and many who suffered fevers or skin inflammation found relief. It was no longer just a rare forest plant—it was a symbol of healing, of connection, and of CUTIS’s wisdom and heart.
And Lulu? She grew stronger each day, swinging from trees, stealing bananas, and cuddling beside CUTIS every night. Their bond was unbreakable—two souls saved by trust, love, and the magical wisdom of the wild.
In the end, the story of the “strange leaf” was more than just a tale of survival. It was a reminder of how deeply nature and compassion could work together—and how one smart, loving man named CUTIS turned knowledge and instinct into a miracle.
And in that small forest village, under the wide blue sky, a clever farmer and a little monkey lived on—together, stronger than ever.