In the heart of the jungle, where sunlight filtered through the thick green canopy and wildflowers danced with the wind, lived a small, close-knit monkey family. The youngest among them, a baby monkey named Lala, was known for his curious eyes and mischievous spirit. But no one—not even his mother—expected him to become a hero one fateful day.
Lala lived with his mother, Miri, the leader of their troop, and a kind farmer named Cutis who often visited their territory. Cutis wasn’t like other humans. He brought bananas, fresh coconuts, and sweet potatoes for the monkeys, especially Lala. He would sit quietly under the shade of the tall palm trees, letting the monkeys approach him if they wanted. Over time, Lala had formed a special bond with Cutis. He trusted him. And he loved him like a member of his own monkey family.
One morning, the jungle was unusually still. The birds weren’t chirping, and the monkeys seemed restless. Lala was playing with a vine when he noticed something strange. Farmer Cutis hadn’t come to visit that day. That had never happened before. Not in weeks.
Later that afternoon, a sharp sound echoed through the trees—a distant human voice shouting in pain. Lala’s ears perked up, and without thinking, he scampered toward the sound. What he saw made his heart thump faster.
Cutis was trapped.
A group of illegal hunters had entered the forest. They had set up snares and nets, hoping to capture rare animals. Cutis had stumbled upon one of their hidden traps while checking on the monkeys and was now tangled in ropes and pinned to the forest floor. One of the hunters stood guard nearby, while others searched deeper into the jungle.
Lala gasped softly, ducking behind a bush. His little chest heaved with panic. What could he do? He was just a baby! He thought about running back to his troop, to his mother—but what if the hunters hurt Cutis before help could come?
Lala peeked out again. Cutis was struggling, trying not to make noise, but his face was twisted in pain. The ropes were tight around his ankle and one arm. He looked weak and helpless. That was enough for Lala.
Against all odds, Lala made a decision that no one expected.
He wasn’t going to wait for help. He was going to save Cutis himself.
Silently, the little monkey crept closer, using the thick vines and tree roots to stay hidden. When the guard turned his back for a moment, Lala darted forward and bit into the rope that bound Cutis’s wrist. The rope was rough and hard, but Lala’s teeth worked quickly. Cutis noticed him and gave a small nod of encouragement. He didn’t speak, not wanting to attract attention, but his eyes were full of trust.
Just then, the guard turned around and spotted Lala.
“Hey!” the man shouted, picking up a stick. “Get out of here, you pest!”
Lala froze. The stick swung at him, but he ducked, jumped, and leaped onto a nearby branch. The hunter cursed and followed, swinging at the branches.
That’s when Lala did something shocking.
He didn’t run away. Instead, he started taunting the hunter—chattering loudly, waving his tiny arms, and tossing twigs at the man’s head. The hunter grew more and more frustrated, trying to climb after him.
Meanwhile, Lala’s clever distraction was working.
Back near the trap, Cutis used his free hand to loosen the rope from his ankle. It hurt, and it was slow, but he was almost out.
Suddenly, from the trees above, came a loud screech.
It was Miri, Lala’s mother. She had arrived with the rest of the monkey troop.
The jungle exploded into action. Miri and the others swarmed the area, swinging from branches, shrieking loudly, and launching a full-blown monkey ambush. The hunters panicked. They hadn’t expected dozens of angry monkeys descending on them. The guard ran, waving his arms and yelling, as fruits, nuts, and sticks pelted him from above.
In the chaos, Cutis finally got free.
He staggered up and limped away from the trap, with Lala jumping down beside him. The little monkey clung to his shoulder as Cutis escaped through the forest, dodging trees and pushing past ferns. Behind them, the sounds of screeching monkeys and shouting hunters slowly faded.
They reached a safe clearing by the river, where Cutis collapsed onto the grass, breathing hard.
Lala sat beside him, his tiny hand resting on Cutis’s chest. His heart still raced from fear, but when he looked up at the man’s tired face, he felt a surge of pride.
He had done it. He had challenged danger—and even his mother—to save his friend.
Miri arrived moments later, followed by a few other monkeys. She scooped Lala into her arms, checking him for injuries. When she realized he was fine, she looked at Cutis with something close to respect.
For the first time, Miri allowed Cutis to pet her son without hesitation.
From that day on, Lala was no longer seen as just a playful baby. The whole troop knew what he had done. He had risked everything to protect someone he loved. He had been brave, clever, and determined—qualities that even adult monkeys admired.
As for Cutis, he returned to the village and alerted the local rangers about the poachers. Thanks to his tip and the monkeys’ interference, the hunters were caught a few days later. The jungle was safe again.
And every day after that, when Cutis visited the jungle, Lala would run straight into his arms, chattering with excitement, while Miri watched from the trees, a quiet guardian always nearby.
No one would ever forget the day the baby monkey dared to challenge the odds—and proved that courage comes in all sizes.
