Every afternoon, when the sun begins to dip behind the tall mango trees and a golden glow fills our backyard, it’s bath time for my little baby monkey, Cici. Most baby monkeys love splashing in the water, but not Cici. She has her own way of showing her feelings about bath time—by pretending to sleep! 😴💦
It all started a few weeks after I brought her home. Cici was tiny, with soft brown fur, curious eyes, and a playful spirit. She loved climbing my shoulders, hugging my neck, and stealing my fruit. But the moment she heard the sound of running water—pssshhh—her energy disappeared like magic. She would suddenly yawn, stretch her little arms, and flop over in my lap, pretending to be fast asleep.
At first, I thought she really was tired. I would gently touch her cheek and whisper, “Cici, wake up, sweetie. It’s just bath time.” But she wouldn’t move. Her tiny chest rose and fell in slow, exaggerated breaths, as if she were deep in dreamland. Her eyelids would flutter just a little—enough for me to know she was faking.
“Cici, you can’t fool me,” I’d laugh. “You just don’t want to take a bath, do you?”
Her tail twitched slightly, betraying her act. Then she would snuggle deeper into the towel, completely motionless. If I tickled her tummy, she’d wiggle a bit, but her eyes stayed tightly shut.
One day, I decided to test her little performance. I said out loud, “Okay, fine, no bath today.” Instantly, her ears perked up, and one tiny eye peeked open. When she realized I was watching, she quickly shut it again! I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“Cici! You little actress!” I said, scooping her up. “You deserve an award for this show.”
Of course, I still had to bathe her. Baby monkeys, like human babies, get dirty after playing all day. Cici especially loved rolling in the dirt, climbing trees, and sitting under the banana leaves, where she’d collect bits of dust and leaves in her fur. So even if she pretended to sleep, bath time couldn’t be skipped.
When I gently placed her in the warm water, she always “woke up” suddenly—blinking dramatically as if she had just been disturbed from the best nap ever. Then she’d make a soft eep eep! sound, looking at me like I’d betrayed her.
“It’s just water, my love,” I’d tell her. “You’ll feel so fresh and pretty after this.”
Sometimes, she’d cross her little arms and pout, like a toddler refusing vegetables. Other times, she’d cling to me so tightly that I had to wash her with one hand while holding her with the other. But once the warm water began to flow over her fur, her stubbornness would melt away.
Her eyes softened, her body relaxed, and she’d start to enjoy the gentle scrubbing. I used a mild baby shampoo that smelled like sweet coconut, and I’d massage her back with my fingertips. Soon, her eyes would droop again—but this time, not from pretending. The warm water really made her sleepy.
I’d whisper softly, “See? It’s not so bad. My little baby smells so nice now.”
She’d sigh happily, resting her tiny head on my wrist, while I rinsed the bubbles from her fur. Moments like that always filled my heart with love. The bond between us wasn’t just about taking care of her—it was about trust. Cici trusted me completely, even when she pretended to dislike bath time.
After the bath, I’d wrap her in a soft pink towel. Her fur would fluff up like a little cotton ball, and she’d peek out from the towel with her round eyes shining. That was when her mischievous side returned.
She’d try to nibble on the towel, play hide-and-seek under it, or suddenly jump onto my shoulder, wrapping her arms around my neck like a tiny hug. Once, she even tried to steal the hairbrush I used for her fur, running off with it while squealing with joy.
“Cici! Give that back!” I’d chase her around the room, both of us laughing. She’d stop just far enough away to tease me, holding the brush like a trophy.
Eventually, I’d catch her and give her a gentle hug. “You’re too smart for your own good,” I’d whisper. She’d look up at me with her little grin, as if saying, I know!
Over time, I began to realize her “pretend sleep” wasn’t just about avoiding the bath. It was also her way of playing with me. She loved the attention—the gentle words, the tickles, the laughter. Bath time had turned into a game of love and trust between us.
One afternoon, as I prepared her bath, I decided to make it even more special. I added a few floating flowers and played soft music in the background. The sound of gentle water mixed with a sweet melody filled the air.
When I turned around, there was Cici—already in her usual “sleeping” pose, lying on her side, pretending to snore! I couldn’t stop laughing.
“Okay, drama queen,” I said, lifting her up. “Let’s make today’s bath extra fancy.”
To my surprise, she didn’t resist this time. Maybe she liked the music or the flowers, or maybe she just trusted me completely. She dipped her little fingers into the water, splashed a bit, and gave a tiny smile.
I smiled back, feeling proud. “See? My baby is growing up.”
That day, she even let me brush her fur afterward without running away. When she was finally dry, she climbed onto my lap, curled up, and truly fell asleep—no pretending this time.
Watching her breathe softly, I felt overwhelmed with affection. Raising a baby monkey is not always easy. It takes patience, gentleness, and understanding. But moments like these make everything worth it.
Cici might be mischievous and dramatic, but her love is pure and honest. Her fake naps and funny little tricks show how much personality she has. She’s not just an animal—she’s part of my family.
Now, every time I hear the sound of running water, I can’t help but smile, wondering if she’ll “fall asleep” again. Sometimes she still does, just to make me laugh. But most days, she climbs willingly into my arms, ready for her warm bath.
Maybe she finally realized that bath time isn’t something to fear—it’s another way we share our love. 💖
And when she’s clean, fluffy, and smelling like coconut, she looks up at me with her sweet eyes, as if to say, See, Mommy? I was just pretending for fun.
I kiss her tiny forehead and whisper, “I know, baby. You’re my little actress.”
As the sun sets and the day grows quiet, Cici curls up on my shoulder, truly asleep this time—her warm breath brushing against my neck. The house smells like soap and peace. I smile, thinking about how every bath, every pretend nap, and every splash of water has brought us closer together.
Life with Cici is full of laughter, patience, and the sweetest love. And no matter how many times she pretends to sleep, I’ll always be right there—ready with a towel, a gentle smile, and all the love in the world for my clever little monkey. 😴🐒💦💖
