The morning sun had just begun to spill over the roofs of the quiet village, lighting up the dusty roads and the lush green trees. The air smelled of rice porridge, wood smoke, and blooming flowers. Everything was peaceful — until a low, warning growl shattered the calm.
That sound came from Cutis, the golden-brown village dog with a heart bigger than his brain, and a loyalty fiercer than anyone had ever seen. His tail was stiff, ears perked, and eyes locked on something — or rather, someone — lurking near the gate.
And sitting just behind Cutis, clutching a half-eaten banana, was the little creature he would die to protect — Miko, the baby monkey.
Miko had become a local favorite ever since Lina, the kind girl from the village, rescued him from a cage at the market weeks ago. Ever since then, the two best friends — goofy dog and clever baby monkey — had been inseparable. They ate together, played together, and got into trouble together.
But this morning, trouble came looking for them.
A stranger had been wandering through the village for days — a thin man in worn clothes, carrying a sack and a long bamboo stick. He claimed to collect fruits, but rumor had it he’d been trying to capture small animals to sell. When he passed Lina’s home, his eyes caught sight of Miko sitting on the fence, munching a banana like a little king.
“Ahh,” the man muttered with a greedy smile. “That monkey would fetch a good price.”
He looked around — no one in sight. The only obstacle between him and an easy catch was one scruffy dog lying in the yard.
“Just a mutt,” he whispered, stepping closer.
But Cutis wasn’t sleeping. His eyes snapped open, ears twitching. The stranger’s scent reached him — unfamiliar, sharp, wrong.
He stood up slowly, fur rising along his back. His growl was deep and serious now.
Miko sensed the tension instantly. He dropped his banana and ran to hide behind Cutis, peeking over his shoulder with wide, scared eyes.
“Easy there, little one,” Lina’s father had once said. “When Cutis growls like that, it means he’s about to become your hero.”
And oh, how right he was.
The stranger tried to play it cool. He crouched down and smiled. “Hey there, little monkey… come here. I won’t hurt you.”
Cutis’s growl grew louder. His paws dug into the dirt, tail rigid.
The man took one more step. “Come on, little fella…”
That was it.
Cutis snapped into action.
With a bark that shook the air, he lunged forward, teeth bared, chasing the stranger away from the fence. The man stumbled backward, startled, then turned and ran. But Cutis was fast — lightning-fast when Miko was involved.
He chased the man down the road, barking like a storm. The villagers peeked out from their windows as the sight unfolded: a grown man sprinting full-speed from a barking dog, waving his stick in panic.
“CUTIS! COME BACK!” Lina shouted, but he was already gone, in full protector mode.
The chase was wild. The man ran past the market stalls, knocking over a basket of mangoes. Cutis dodged every obstacle, barking furiously. The man tried to swing his bamboo stick to scare him off, but Cutis was too smart.
He zigzagged like a hunter, cutting corners and leaping over puddles. When the man stumbled, Cutis used that moment to dash around and block his path. His tail bristled, teeth bared, ready to defend.
The man yelled, “Get away, you crazy dog!”
Cutis didn’t move. He stood his ground, barking again — short, sharp, warning barks. Every instinct screamed: Don’t you dare come near my family again.
The man hesitated, then dropped the stick and ran off into the woods. Cutis chased him until he was sure the stranger wouldn’t return. Only then did he stop, panting hard, tail wagging with victory.
Back home, Miko had been watching everything from the top of the gate, trembling a little but trying to look brave. When Cutis returned, dirty and breathing heavily, Miko squeaked excitedly and leapt onto his back.
“Ee-ee! Ee-ee!”
Cutis wagged his tail, his tongue hanging out. He gave Miko a reassuring nudge as if to say, It’s okay, kid. No one will hurt you while I’m around.
Lina came running, kneeling beside her brave dog. “Cutis! You chased him away! You’re such a smart protector!” she said, hugging him tightly.
Cutis barked proudly, puffing out his chest.
Miko reached over and patted Cutis’s head with his tiny hands, chattering happily. Then he did something that made everyone laugh — he picked up the banana he had dropped earlier, broke it in half, and gave one piece to Cutis.
It was the monkey’s way of saying thank you.
For a few peaceful days after that, the stranger didn’t return. But Cutis didn’t relax. Every morning, he’d patrol the yard like a soldier — sniffing the air, checking every corner, making sure Miko was safe.
Sometimes, Miko would follow him around, mimicking his movements. When Cutis stopped to sniff a flowerpot, Miko would do the same, pretending to “sniff” too. When Cutis lifted his leg on the tree, Miko copied — only to slip and fall backward, making Lina burst into laughter.
They were an odd pair — one fierce, one funny — but together, unstoppable.
Then one afternoon, something unexpected happened again. The same stranger came sneaking back through the bushes, thinking everyone was asleep. But this time, Cutis saw him before he even reached the fence.
The dog crouched low, tail still, eyes sharp. Instead of barking, he waited.
The man tiptoed closer… closer… until—
BAM!
Cutis shot out like a rocket, catching the man completely off guard. The stranger tripped over a bucket, fell face-first into the mud, and screamed.
Miko, from the rooftop, saw the whole thing — and decided to help.
He grabbed a handful of small mangoes from the nearby tree and started throwing them one by one at the stranger’s back!
Plop! Plop! Plop!
Each hit made the man yelp louder. Cutis barked like crazy, running circles around him as if cheering Miko on: “Yeah! Hit him again! Good shot!”
Lina came running outside, trying not to laugh. “Cutis! Miko! Stop bullying him!”
But honestly, it was too funny. The man finally jumped up and ran away, covered in mud and mango juice. Miko screeched with triumph, pounding his tiny chest. Cutis barked proudly, tail wagging.
Lina knelt beside them, giggling. “You two are ridiculous. But I swear, you’re the smartest duo in the village.”
Cutis barked once, as if agreeing. Miko climbed down onto his back, hugging his neck tightly.
From that day forward, the villagers started calling Cutis “The Smart Guardian.” Even the local kids began making up songs about him:
🎵 “Cutis strong, Cutis brave,
Chases bad guys every day!
Baby monkey safe and free,
Best friends forever — you and me!” 🎵
Whenever Cutis heard them sing, he’d wag his tail proudly while Miko clapped his tiny hands in rhythm.
One evening, as the sun dipped behind the trees, Lina sat watching the two friends play in the yard. Miko was perched on Cutis’s back, holding a leaf like a tiny flag, while Cutis trotted around like a royal horse.
“You really are a hero, Cutis,” Lina said softly. “You’re not just brave — you’re smart, too.”
Cutis barked once, glancing at her, then looked up at Miko, who squeaked happily. The dog wagged his tail, clearly saying, As long as he’s safe, I’ve done my job.
And when the moon rose over the quiet village, Cutis lay down beside Miko under the banana tree. The little monkey curled up against his warm fur, letting out a soft sigh of comfort.
The night was calm, the stars twinkling above — and though the world could sometimes be cruel, in this small corner of it, a clever dog and a baby monkey slept soundly, protected by love, loyalty, and one very funny, very smart guardian named Cutis. 🐾💛🐒
