The morning sun had barely risen over the tall palm trees when little Xuxu, the baby monkey, began to stir in her soft nest of leaves. Her tiny hands rubbed her sleepy eyes as the jungle around her slowly came alive. Birds chirped, cicadas buzzed, and a gentle breeze rustled through the branches. But Xuxu’s tummy growled louder than all the sounds of the forest combined.
She yawned and looked around, blinking her big round eyes. Her mother, Momo, was sitting nearby, grooming her fur and watching the other monkeys jump from branch to branch. Xuxu’s stomach gave another loud growl. She pressed her hands against her belly and made a small whimpering sound.
“Mommy…” she murmured softly, almost shyly.
But Momo didn’t notice. She was busy chatting with Aunt Lila, another mother monkey with two energetic twins. The twins were chasing each other and squealing with laughter, while Xuxu sat quietly, rubbing her tummy and watching them play.
The delicious smell of ripe bananas floated through the air, carried from a nearby tree where a group of monkeys were eating breakfast. Xuxu’s mouth began to water. She could see her older cousin peeling a banana and stuffing big chunks into his mouth. Oh, how she wanted one!
She looked back at her mother and thought hard.
“How do I ask her?” she wondered. “If I just cry, she’ll tell me to wait. But if I go up and hold her hand, maybe she’ll understand.”
Gathering all her courage, Xuxu climbed down the branch carefully. Her tiny feet slipped a little on the rough bark, but she caught herself quickly—she didn’t want to make a sound and get scolded. When she finally reached Momo, she tugged gently at her mother’s fur.
Momo turned her head and smiled. “Good morning, my little one. Did you sleep well?”
Xuxu nodded, then pointed to her mouth and made a little “yum-yum” sound. Her eyes were wide and pleading.
Momo chuckled softly. “Are you hungry, Xuxu?”
The baby monkey nodded eagerly, jumping a little on her toes. Her tail swished behind her in excitement.
“Well,” Momo said, looking up at the banana trees, “I suppose it is breakfast time. Let’s see what we can find.”
Xuxu clapped her tiny hands in joy. She followed her mother closely as they climbed higher into the trees. The air smelled sweet, and the golden sunlight made the bananas glow like treasure. Momo picked one and handed it to Xuxu, who hugged it like it was the most precious thing in the world.
But there was one problem — Xuxu didn’t know how to peel it properly yet. She tried biting the end, but it wouldn’t open. She pulled with all her strength, grunting softly, but still no luck. Her little face wrinkled in frustration.
Momo laughed again. “Here, let me help you, sweetheart.”
She peeled the banana gently and broke off a small piece. Xuxu took it quickly and popped it into her mouth. The sweet, soft fruit melted on her tongue. She squeaked happily, swinging her tail.
“Mmmm! So good!” she squealed.
As Xuxu ate, she watched other monkeys around her enjoying their breakfast too — some eating fruit, others munching on leaves or nuts. A few babies even tried to steal food from their mothers, but Momo kept Xuxu close, making sure she didn’t get too adventurous.
After finishing half the banana, Xuxu’s curiosity got the better of her. She saw a group of monkeys gathered near a tree trunk, eating something different — big, juicy mangoes! The golden flesh looked so tasty, and juice dripped from their mouths as they ate.
“Mommy,” Xuxu whispered, tugging her mother’s tail, “can we have that one too?”
Momo smiled kindly. “You already had your banana, little one. Too much will make your tummy hurt.”
But Xuxu’s big eyes begged again. She looked up at her mother, tilting her head, her lips curling into a tiny pout. It was her signature “please” face, one that usually melted Momo’s heart.
“Alright,” Momo finally sighed, laughing softly. “But just one bite.”
She jumped down gracefully and picked up a ripe mango. When she returned, she tore off a small piece and handed it to Xuxu. The baby monkey took it, giggling in delight, and bit into the soft fruit.
Juice dripped down her chin and onto her chest, making her fur sticky. Momo shook her head, smiling. “You’re such a messy eater!”
But Xuxu didn’t care. She licked her fingers happily, completely lost in her fruity feast. When she was done, she leaned against her mother’s chest, full and content.
A little while later, a playful breeze blew through the trees, and Xuxu saw her friends Bon and Sumi climbing nearby. They were laughing and tossing fruit skins down from the branches.
“Come play with us, Xuxu!” Bon called out.
Xuxu looked at her mom. “Can I, Mommy?”
“Go ahead,” Momo said, smiling. “Just don’t go too far.”
With that, Xuxu leapt away joyfully, her small limbs quick and agile. She joined her friends, and together they played a game of “fruit catch,” where they tossed pieces of banana peel up into the air and tried to grab them before they hit the ground.
The three little monkeys giggled endlessly. Bon missed one and slipped on a banana peel, falling onto his back. Everyone burst into laughter, even Bon himself.
As they played, Xuxu’s tummy made a soft, happy sound — not from hunger this time, but from pure satisfaction. She looked toward her mom, who sat nearby watching proudly. Momo gave her a loving smile and a gentle wave.
“Thank you, Mommy,” Xuxu whispered softly, even though her mom couldn’t hear her over the jungle sounds. She knew Momo would always take care of her — whether it was finding food, teaching her how to peel a banana, or simply being there when she needed love.
When the sun climbed higher and the heat of the day began to settle in, Momo called, “Xuxu, come rest now!”
The baby monkey ran back, tired from playing but still full of energy. She climbed onto her mother’s lap and nestled close, the warmth of Momo’s fur soothing her.
As Momo gently groomed her, Xuxu closed her eyes. “Mommy,” she murmured sleepily, “when I grow up, I’ll find food for you too.”
Momo smiled and kissed her daughter’s forehead. “I know you will, my brave little monkey.”
Soon, Xuxu drifted off into a peaceful nap, dreaming of endless banana trees, juicy mangoes, and the loving arms of her mother — always there to comfort her, always ready to share a meal, and always watching over her in their green jungle home.
And from that day on, whenever Xuxu felt hungry, she didn’t hesitate to ask. Because she learned that love, like food, grows best when shared — especially between a little monkey and her caring mom. 🐒💞🍌
