It was a calm morning in the forest. The sun peeked through the thick canopy, birds chirped happily, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves. The monkey family had just woken up. CUTIS, the clever and mischievous young monkey, stretched lazily and looked over to where his mother usually sat. But today, something was different.
Mom monkey wasn’t her usual energetic self. She wasn’t jumping from branch to branch or grooming Dad’s fur like every morning. Instead, she sat quietly on a low branch, one hand resting on her belly, breathing slowly. CUTIS tilted his head curiously.
“Mom? Are you okay?” he asked softly, crawling closer.
Mom smiled weakly. “I’m fine, CUTIS. Just a little tired today.”
But CUTIS didn’t buy it. He had never seen his mom look this way before. Her belly looked rounder than usual, and she moved more carefully than ever. Something was definitely going on.
Baby monkey, who had been busy playing with a leaf, noticed the unusual silence. He jumped up, scampering over to CUTIS. “Brother, what’s wrong with Mom?” he whispered, his big eyes full of worry.
CUTIS didn’t know what to say. He looked at Mom, then back at Baby. “I… I think she’s not feeling well,” he replied uncertainly.
Baby monkey’s face fell. “Is she sick?”
CUTIS hesitated, biting his lip. “Maybe… or maybe…” He suddenly remembered something Dad had mentioned a few days ago — how soon the family might be welcoming a new baby. Could it be that Mom was about to give birth?
The thought hit CUTIS like a bolt of lightning. He looked at Baby monkey, eyes wide. “Wait! Maybe Mom’s going to have a baby!”
Baby monkey’s jaw dropped. “A baby?! You mean… like us?”
CUTIS nodded excitedly. “Yes! A tiny little monkey! Maybe a new brother or sister!”
But then, both of them froze. Their excitement quickly turned into confusion — and then worry.
“Wait… how does that even happen?” Baby asked, scratching his tiny head. “Is she in pain? Do we need to help her?”
CUTIS didn’t know the answers. He had seen pregnant animals before, but he had never actually witnessed a birth. His imagination started to run wild. “What if she needs help and we don’t do anything? What if something goes wrong?”
Baby gasped, eyes growing even wider. “What if she’s hurting right now?”
Both brothers exchanged panicked looks. Without wasting another second, they jumped up and ran toward Dad, who was munching on some ripe bananas nearby.
“Dad! Dad!” CUTIS shouted, nearly tripping over a root. “Something’s happening to Mom!”
Dad looked up calmly, banana still in his hand. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She’s sitting still and holding her belly! Maybe she’s sick—or—or maybe the baby’s coming!” CUTIS exclaimed.
Dad blinked, taken aback. He quickly dropped his banana and swung over to Mom. CUTIS and Baby followed closely, hearts pounding with worry.
Mom looked up at them, amused but a little tired. “Why are you all looking at me like that?”
Dad crouched beside her. “Are you okay? Are you… are you having the baby now?”
Mom chuckled softly, shaking her head. “No, no. Not yet. It’s just soon. The baby is moving a lot today, that’s all.”
CUTIS and Baby let out a huge sigh of relief — though they were still wide-eyed and nervous. Baby crawled into Mom’s lap carefully, touching her belly. “The baby is moving?” he whispered in awe.
Mom smiled. “Yes, sweet one. Would you like to feel?”
Baby nodded eagerly. Mom guided his tiny hand to her belly. A few seconds later, he felt a soft nudge. His eyes sparkled with amazement. “It moved! I felt it!”
CUTIS watched closely, a strange mix of wonder and confusion in his eyes. “So… there’s really a baby inside?”
Mom nodded patiently. “Yes, CUTIS. Your new sibling is growing in here. It won’t be long before you meet them.”
CUTIS blinked, still trying to wrap his head around the idea. “But… how did it get in there?”
Dad chuckled nervously. “That’s… a story for when you’re older, son.”
Mom laughed softly. “All you need to know now is that soon, our family will grow.”
CUTIS still wasn’t sure what to feel — happy, confused, or nervous. Baby monkey, on the other hand, seemed thrilled. He started talking to Mom’s belly, saying things like, “Hi little baby! I’m your big brother! I’ll share my bananas with you!”
CUTIS smiled at Baby’s innocence but couldn’t help feeling a bit worried. What if Mom got hurt? What if the baby didn’t come out safely?
As the day went on, CUTIS stayed close to Mom, watching her every move. Whenever she sighed or shifted uncomfortably, he’d jump up in alarm. “Mom! Are you okay?! Is it happening?!”
Mom would just laugh gently. “Relax, CUTIS. You’re more nervous than I am.”
Even Dad found it amusing. He chuckled, patting CUTIS on the head. “You’ll make a great brother, you know that? Always looking out for everyone.”
Later that afternoon, CUTIS and Baby decided to collect some soft leaves and fresh fruit “for Mom and the baby.” They wanted to make her a cozy spot to rest. CUTIS even built a small “nest” of leaves, while Baby decorated it with flowers he found nearby.
When Mom saw what they had done, her eyes softened. “Oh, my sweet boys,” she said, her voice full of love. “You’re already taking such good care of me.”
CUTIS smiled shyly. “We just want you and the baby to be safe.”
As the sun set, painting the sky in shades of gold and orange, the family sat together on their favorite branch. Mom rested peacefully while Dad gently wrapped his tail around her for warmth. CUTIS sat close by, his eyes never leaving Mom’s belly, and Baby leaned against her, still talking softly to the baby inside.
Suddenly, the baby inside Mom’s belly moved again — this time stronger. CUTIS and Baby both gasped. “It kicked!” Baby squealed.
Mom laughed. “Yes, your little sibling is strong and eager to meet you both.”
Dad smiled proudly. “Looks like we’ll have our hands full soon.”
CUTIS’s heart swelled with emotion — excitement, love, and a touch of fear. He didn’t know what kind of big brother he would be, but he promised himself one thing: he would protect the new baby just like he always protected Baby monkey.
That night, as the forest fell silent, CUTIS couldn’t sleep. He kept thinking about what would happen when the baby arrived. He imagined holding the tiny newborn in his arms, teaching them to climb, to play, and to laugh.
He smiled to himself. Maybe being a big brother to two wasn’t so scary after all.
Meanwhile, Baby monkey was fast asleep, dreaming about playing with his new sibling. Dad stayed awake a little longer, watching over his family, proud and grateful. And Mom, though tired, felt content knowing that soon their little troop would grow — and that her sons were already showing the love and care that would make them wonderful brothers.
As the moonlight gently touched the trees, CUTIS whispered softly, “Don’t worry, little one. We’re waiting for you. And when you come, we’ll take care of you — together.”
Somewhere inside Mom’s belly, the baby gave a soft little kick, almost as if it understood. CUTIS smiled, feeling a sense of peace he hadn’t felt all day.
The forest slept soundly, the stars shining bright above — and CUTIS and Baby monkey, once confused and worried, now waited with hearts full of love and excitement for the newest member of their family. ❤️🐒🌙
