The sun had barely risen over the green canopy of the forest when the day took a sudden, unexpected turn for the monkey family. Usually, mornings were full of laughter and playful chaos. CUTIS would be the first to leap from branch to branch, making the baby monkey squeal with joy while their mom, now visibly pregnant, watched with a gentle smile. But today, something felt different.
CUTIS wasn’t his usual energetic self. He sat quietly on the floor of the bamboo porch, holding his arm close to his chest. His fur was slightly ruffled, and his bright eyes, normally full of mischief, looked dim and tired.
Mom noticed it right away. “CUTIS?” she asked softly, her voice filled with concern. “What happened to you, sweetheart?”
CUTIS tried to shrug it off, giving his usual grin. “I’m fine, Mom. Just slipped when jumping from the tree… it’s nothing.”
But when he tried to stand, a sharp pain shot through his side, and he winced. That was all the confirmation Mom needed. Her maternal instincts, heightened by her pregnancy, immediately took over. She hurried to his side, her round belly swaying slightly, and gently checked his arm.
“Oh, CUTIS…” she murmured. “You’ve bruised it badly. You shouldn’t have been climbing that high alone.”
Baby Monkey, who had been stacking stones nearby, ran over the moment he heard CUTIS groan. His tiny hands clutched CUTIS’s tail. “Brother hurt?” he asked, his big eyes wide with worry.
CUTIS tried to smile, not wanting to scare the little one. “Just a little bruise. Don’t worry, Baby.”
But Baby was already frowning, clearly not convinced. “No! Baby help!” he announced with determination, running off to grab something—though no one knew what.
Mom sighed and shook her head, her heart aching for her brave but reckless son. “You’re always so full of energy,” she said softly. “Even trees can’t keep up with you.”
CUTIS chuckled weakly. “Guess I learned my lesson today.”
A few moments later, Baby returned dragging a big green leaf, his tiny feet stumbling as he carried it. “Here! Magic leaf!” he said proudly. “Make brother feel better!”
Mom couldn’t help but laugh warmly at his innocence. “That’s sweet of you, dear,” she said, taking the leaf and using it to gently cool CUTIS’s bruise. CUTIS smiled and ruffled Baby’s head. “You’re the best little doctor ever.”
Baby puffed up his chest proudly. “Yes! Baby doctor!”
Mom stood and went to prepare a herbal poultice made from crushed banana leaves, turmeric root, and a drop of honey—a traditional forest remedy passed down through generations. As she worked, Baby Monkey stayed by CUTIS’s side, patting his arm carefully as if that would make it heal faster.
“Don’t move, brother,” he said seriously. “Mom say rest.”
CUTIS nodded, amused by how serious his little brother suddenly sounded. “Okay, Doctor Baby. I’ll rest.”
When Mom returned, she carefully applied the poultice to CUTIS’s arm. The cool mixture soothed the pain almost immediately. “There,” she said softly. “Now you just need to rest today. No climbing, no jumping, no showing off.”
CUTIS laughed a little. “Even if I wanted to, I don’t think my arm would let me.”
Mom smiled lovingly, her hand resting gently on his head. “Good. And I’ll make sure you have something nice to eat. You need strength to heal.”
While Mom prepared a special fruit porridge for CUTIS, Baby stayed close. He fetched water in a tiny coconut shell, offered half of his banana, and even tried fanning CUTIS with a leaf to keep him cool. CUTIS couldn’t stop smiling. “You’re really taking care of me, huh?”
Baby nodded seriously. “Because brother protect Baby. Now Baby protect brother.”
Those words touched CUTIS deeply. He remembered how often he’d carried Baby on his back, shared food with him, and stood up for him when other monkeys teased him. But seeing Baby so thoughtful and caring today made him feel proud—and grateful.
When Mom returned with the warm porridge, the delicious smell filled the house. She sat beside CUTIS and spoon-fed him gently. “Here, eat slowly,” she said.
CUTIS felt a bit embarrassed. “Mom, I can feed myself,” he said, trying to take the spoon with his good hand.
Mom chuckled. “You could, but let me pamper you a little. You may be growing up, but you’ll always be my little one.”
Baby giggled from the side. “Brother little monkey!”
CUTIS laughed too. “Fine, fine. I surrender.”
As the day went on, the forest grew hot and quiet, but inside their cozy home, the family’s love made everything peaceful. CUTIS rested on a soft mat while Mom and Baby took turns watching over him. Mom hummed softly, a lullaby she used to sing when CUTIS was a baby. Baby mimicked the tune, giggling when his voice went too high.
Later, Dad came home carrying fresh mangoes. “I heard about the accident,” he said, worried but calm. “How’s our little acrobat doing?”
CUTIS grinned. “Recovering, thanks to Mom and Baby.”
Dad smiled proudly at his wife. “You always know what to do,” he said, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “And you,” he added, turning to Baby, “you’ve been a big helper, huh?”
Baby nodded vigorously. “Baby doctor! Help CUTIS!”
Dad laughed warmly. “Then Doctor Baby deserves a mango!”
That evening, the family sat together, sharing fruit and stories. The golden sunset filtered through the trees, painting everything in a warm orange glow. CUTIS’s pain was easing, and the laughter of his family filled him with peace.
As the night grew darker, Mom prepared to rest. Her belly was heavy, and soon she would be welcoming a new little one into their family. CUTIS looked at her with deep admiration. Even while pregnant, she had cared for him so patiently, never once complaining.
“Mom,” he said softly, “thank you… for taking care of me today.”
Mom smiled lovingly. “That’s what family is for, my dear. We take care of each other.”
CUTIS nodded. “When the baby comes, I’ll help you too. I promise.”
Mom’s eyes softened. “I know you will. You’ve always had a kind heart, CUTIS.”
Later that night, as the crickets sang outside, Baby curled up next to CUTIS, refusing to sleep in his own bed. “Baby sleep with brother,” he mumbled sleepily. “Make sure brother okay.”
CUTIS chuckled and wrapped an arm around him. “All right, little doctor. You win.”
Mom watched them from across the room, her heart full. Even though the day had begun with worry and fear, it ended with warmth, laughter, and the comforting reminder of love’s power to heal.
As the moonlight streamed through the window, CUTIS felt grateful—not just for the care he received, but for the love surrounding him. His bruise would heal soon, but the memory of this day—the tenderness in Mom’s touch, the fierce devotion in Baby’s small gestures—would stay with him forever.
In the days that followed, CUTIS recovered quickly. Mom continued to remind him to be careful, and Baby still insisted on checking his arm every morning, patting it like a doctor checking a patient. “No hurt?” he’d ask seriously.
CUTIS would smile and say, “No hurt. Thanks to my best doctor.”
And Baby would beam with pride. “Baby doctor best!”
One morning, as CUTIS stretched and prepared to go outside again, Mom placed her hand on his shoulder. “Be careful, son. The forest is full of adventure, but remember—come home safe.”
CUTIS nodded, hugging her gently. “I will, Mom. I promise.”
He turned to Baby and winked. “Want to come, Doctor?”
Baby giggled and grabbed his tiny leaf bag. “Yes! But no more falling!”
The two monkeys stepped out together, sunlight glinting through the leaves, laughter echoing through the trees. CUTIS felt stronger than ever—not just in body, but in heart.
Because no matter what happened, he knew he had the most loving family in the world—one that would always take care of him, just as he would always take care of them. 🐵💛🌿
