Morning sunlight streamed through the bamboo leaves, painting soft golden stripes across the floor of the small shelter. Xuxu, the tiny baby monkey, was curled up on her soft blanket, clutching her milk bottle like a treasure. Her eyes were half-closed, her little lips sucking slowly, rhythmically. Each gulp seemed to bring her comfort — warm milk, safety, and love.
But today was not going to be an ordinary morning.
The human caretaker, who had raised Xuxu since she was rescued as a newborn, had just filled another bottle with fresh milk. Xuxu’s face brightened instantly when she saw it. She gave a cheerful squeak and clapped her little hands. “Eeeh! Eeeh!” she cried, her tail curling in excitement. The caretaker smiled and sat down on the mat, holding the bottle out.
Just as Xuxu was about to take her first sip, another tiny hand appeared from the side — it was Lala, the mischievous young monkey who shared the same home. Lala had just finished her own bottle, but the sweet smell of milk still tempted her. Without hesitation, she reached out and tried to grab Xuxu’s bottle!
“Hey! You take monkey Xuxu’s milk!” the caretaker exclaimed with a laugh, pretending to scold her.
Xuxu froze. Her big brown eyes widened in disbelief. She looked at Lala, then at the bottle, and back again. Her lips trembled slightly, like she couldn’t believe what had just happened. Lala, meanwhile, held the bottle tightly and took a bold sip.
For a few seconds, the two monkeys just stared at each other — one shocked, the other guilty but determined.
Xuxu gave a soft, heartbroken whimper. “Eeeeh…” she cried, reaching her hand toward the bottle. Her little fingers wiggled helplessly. Lala avoided her gaze, still pretending to drink, though she clearly knew she was being naughty.
The caretaker chuckled again but gently took the bottle from Lala’s hands. “No, Lala. That’s Xuxu’s milk,” they said kindly. “You already had yours.”
Lala’s face fell, and she made a sad “hoo-hoo” sound. But Xuxu’s eyes lit up as the bottle was handed back to her. She hugged it to her chest, holding it like a baby would hold a toy. Then, after a few seconds, she turned to look at Lala again.
Something softened in her expression.
Xuxu, the gentle little one, tilted the bottle and held it out toward Lala. “Eeeh…” she cooed softly, inviting her to share.
The caretaker gasped a little — such kindness from such a tiny creature. Lala blinked, surprised. Slowly, she inched closer, took a tiny sip, then looked at Xuxu again. Both monkeys smiled in their own silent way — with gentle eyes, relaxed faces, and tails twining together like little vines.
The shelter filled with warmth and quiet happiness. The caretaker took a few photos, unable to resist capturing this beautiful moment of sharing.
After finishing their milk, Xuxu and Lala lay down together on the mat. Xuxu’s belly was round and full, and Lala’s eyes began to droop with sleepiness. They nestled close, Xuxu resting her tiny hand on Lala’s back. All the earlier drama was forgotten — replaced by soft trust and love.
But the story didn’t end there.
Later in the afternoon, when the sun had climbed high, both monkeys were wide awake and ready to play again. Xuxu, still in her playful mood, picked up an empty bottle and pretended to drink. She tilted her head back dramatically, making funny smacking sounds. Lala watched for a moment, then giggled — or at least made a sound that was very close to laughter.
The caretaker laughed too. “Oh, so now you’re pretending to drink, huh?”
Xuxu proudly held up the bottle like it was a trophy. Then, mischievously, she held it out toward the caretaker, as if to say, You take my milk again?
The caretaker couldn’t help but join the game. They pretended to grab the bottle and take a big sip. “Mmm! Delicious!” they teased.
Xuxu gasped dramatically. She slapped her tiny hands on the ground and let out a high-pitched squeal. “Eeeek! Eeeek!” she shouted, running in circles as though truly offended. Lala rolled on the floor, kicking her little legs in delight at the scene.
It became a playful game — “Who takes Xuxu’s milk?” Sometimes Lala, sometimes the caretaker, sometimes even the stuffed toy monkey sitting nearby. Each time, Xuxu would act shocked and chase after them, trying to reclaim her imaginary milk.
The caretaker couldn’t stop laughing. These two little monkeys brought endless joy and surprise into every moment.
As evening approached, the energy began to fade. The warm golden light returned, softer now, gentler. The caretaker prepared the last bottle of the day. Xuxu sat patiently this time, her big eyes calm and trusting. Lala waited too, no longer trying to steal. When the bottles were given, both monkeys drank peacefully side by side.
The caretaker stroked their soft fur, whispering, “Good girls. You share so nicely.”
Xuxu finished her milk, wiped her mouth with the back of her tiny hand, and yawned widely. She leaned her head against Lala’s shoulder, eyes fluttering shut. Lala looked down at her and gave a gentle pat, almost like a big sister comforting her sibling.
The night was quiet except for the soft chirping of crickets outside. The caretaker sat watching them, thinking about how even the smallest creatures could show such big hearts.
When Xuxu first arrived — frightened, hungry, barely able to open her eyes — no one knew she would grow into such a kind and loving little monkey. She had been fed drop by drop, bottle by bottle, until she was strong enough to climb and play. And now, though tiny, she was learning lessons about sharing, forgiveness, and love.
That single moment — when she offered her milk back to Lala — showed more compassion than many humans ever manage. It was a reminder that kindness doesn’t come from words, but from the heart.
The caretaker smiled to themselves and whispered, “Good night, Xuxu… good night, Lala.”
The two monkeys were fast asleep now, their tails curled together, their soft breathing in perfect rhythm. The empty milk bottles lay nearby, still slightly warm.
The moonlight touched their faces gently, as if blessing them for their sweetness.
In that quiet moment, the caretaker thought again of the funny morning scene — Lala stealing Xuxu’s milk, Xuxu’s shocked face, and then the beautiful act of sharing. It was both silly and heartwarming, innocent and pure.
Tomorrow, there would be more bottles, more games, more little adventures. Maybe someone would “take monkey Xuxu’s milk” again — just for fun. But one thing was certain: Xuxu’s love and generosity would always shine through.
And in the peaceful shelter, where laughter echoed and hearts were light, the little monkeys dreamed — of milk bottles, sunshine, and the endless warmth of friendship. 🍼🐒💞
