It was a bright and cheerful morning in the small village near the forest. The air smelled of sweet fruit and warm bread, and the townspeople were preparing for the weekend market — the busiest, happiest day of the week. Everyone was bustling about, setting up their stalls, arranging colorful fruits, jars of honey, and baskets of fresh bread. Among the stalls was one that stood out more than all the others — the jelly stand.
It belonged to a kind woman everyone called Auntie Sita. She made the best jelly in the village — strawberry, mango, banana, blueberry, and even coconut flavor. The smell alone could make your mouth water. And on that day, she had prepared an especially large batch, proudly stacking dozens of shining glass jars on her wooden table.
But not far away, hidden behind a mango tree, two curious eyes were watching — the mischievous monkey named CUTIS.
CUTIS was known far and wide for his clever tricks and hilarious adventures. He wasn’t a bad monkey — just too smart for his own good and far too curious about everything humans did. And today, he wasn’t alone. Sitting beside him was his adorable little companion, Baby Monkey, who was licking a tiny piece of fruit and staring at the colorful jelly jars with pure fascination.
CUTIS nudged Baby Monkey and whispered in his funny, squeaky voice, “Do you see that? Look at all those shiny, wobbly things. They look delicious!”
Baby Monkey’s eyes widened. He tilted his head and chirped happily. “Wobble-wobble!” he said, clapping his tiny hands.
CUTIS grinned. “Yes, wobble-wobble. And they’re all ours if we’re smart enough!”
From their hiding spot, they could see Auntie Sita chatting with some customers. She turned her back for a moment to help an old man choose a jar. CUTIS’s heart started to beat faster. His little monkey brain was spinning with ideas. He could almost smell the sweetness from here.
He looked down at Baby Monkey and said, “It’s time for Operation Jelly!”
Baby Monkey nodded excitedly, though he clearly had no idea what that meant.
CUTIS crept closer, crawling low, using baskets and boxes for cover. The townspeople were too busy talking to notice him. Baby Monkey followed behind, stepping so lightly that even the dust didn’t move.
Finally, they reached the jelly stall. CUTIS peeked over the edge of the table — and there it was: rows and rows of colorful, shimmering jelly jars, shining under the sunlight like treasure. Red, yellow, purple, green — every color imaginable.
CUTIS’s eyes sparkled. “So beautiful,” he whispered dramatically, as if looking at a diamond.
He stretched out his hand and touched one jar gently. The jelly inside jiggled like magic. CUTIS let out a small giggle. “Wobble!”
Then, unable to resist, he opened the jar. The smell of sweet strawberry filled the air. He dipped his finger in, tasted it, and his eyes went wide. “Oh wow! This is the best thing ever!”
Baby Monkey, watching eagerly, reached for another jar and tried to open it. But the lid was tight. He struggled, puffing his cheeks and twisting hard until— POP! — the jar opened, and a blob of jelly splashed right onto his nose.
CUTIS burst into laughter, rolling on the ground. “Haha! You look like a fruit pudding!”
Baby Monkey licked his nose, smiled, and laughed too.
But they weren’t done yet. CUTIS decided one jar wasn’t enough. He wanted all the jelly. One by one, he started opening lids, scooping out big chunks with his hands and gobbling them up. Baby Monkey followed his lead, happily stuffing his tiny face with mango jelly.
Soon the table looked like a battlefield — open jars everywhere, sticky jelly dripping down the sides, spoons tossed around like confetti.
CUTIS climbed onto the table, spreading his arms wide. “I declare this Jelly Kingdom mine!” he announced proudly, smearing strawberry across his cheeks like war paint.
But at that exact moment, Auntie Sita turned around.
Her eyes went wide. “WHAT IN THE WORLD—?! CUTIS!!!”
CUTIS froze mid-bite, jelly still hanging from his hand. Baby Monkey gasped, eyes huge. Then, like lightning, CUTIS grabbed two jars — one in each hand — and shouted, “RUN!”
The chase began. Auntie Sita waved her towel in the air and yelled, “You naughty monkey! Come back with my jelly!”
CUTIS and Baby Monkey took off through the market, slipping and sliding, leaving a trail of jelly behind them. People jumped out of the way, laughing and cheering. “The monkey took all the jelly!” someone shouted.
CUTIS zigzagged between stalls, clutching the jars like prized jewels. Baby Monkey, covered in sticky mango goo, followed behind, giggling uncontrollably. One jar fell and splattered on the ground, but CUTIS didn’t stop. He was too busy having fun.
They dashed past the fruit stand, the bread stand, even the coconut drink stall. Every time CUTIS looked back, Auntie Sita was right behind him, waving her towel like a flag.
“CUTIS! You come here right now!” she yelled.
But CUTIS just laughed. “Sorry, Auntie! Too tasty to stop now!”
Finally, they reached the edge of the forest. CUTIS jumped up into a tree, climbing fast, while Baby Monkey scrambled right after him. Auntie Sita stopped at the bottom, shaking her head, but she couldn’t help smiling when she saw the two silly monkeys above her, covered from head to toe in jelly.
“You two are impossible,” she said with a sigh, though her eyes were full of amusement. “You better enjoy that jelly because next time, I’ll make it extra spicy!”
CUTIS blinked, unsure if she was serious, then decided not to risk it. He gave a little wave and said, “Thank you, Auntie!” before disappearing into the leaves.
Up in the treetops, CUTIS and Baby Monkey sat on a big branch, panting and laughing. CUTIS opened one of the last jars and handed it to Baby Monkey. “You earned it, little buddy,” he said proudly.
Baby Monkey happily dipped his fingers into the jelly and smeared it all over his face before licking it clean. CUTIS shook his head, grinning. “You’re a mess,” he said, “but so am I.”
The two of them spent the rest of the afternoon lounging in the shade, bellies full of sweetness. Birds chirped around them, and a few butterflies landed nearby, drawn by the sugary scent.
CUTIS leaned back, resting his head on his arms. “Ah, life is good,” he said. “Jelly, laughter, and freedom.”
Baby Monkey yawned and curled up beside him, holding the empty jar like a teddy bear. CUTIS smiled and gently patted his head.
But just when CUTIS thought the day was over, he heard a sound — a rustling in the bushes below. He peered down and saw Mom standing there with her hands on her hips.
“CUTIS,” she said firmly, “what did you do this time?”
CUTIS froze. “Uh-oh.”
Mom climbed halfway up the tree and saw the jelly-covered monkeys. Her eyes widened. “CUTIS! You took all the jelly?!”
CUTIS tried to explain, pointing to Baby Monkey. “He started it!”
Baby Monkey blinked innocently, still licking jelly from his hands.
Mom sighed and pinched her nose. “You two need a bath!”
CUTIS groaned dramatically. “But Mom, I smell like strawberries now!”
Mom didn’t laugh. “Down. Now.”
CUTIS and Baby Monkey reluctantly climbed down, dripping jelly all the way. Mom took them straight to the river, where she scrubbed them until they were clean again — though CUTIS tried to eat the bubbles, saying they looked like coconut jelly.
By sunset, both monkeys were clean, full, and sleepy. CUTIS looked up at the glowing sky and smiled. “Well, Baby Monkey,” he said softly, “today was sticky… but sweet.”
Baby Monkey giggled, snuggling against him.
And somewhere in the village, Auntie Sita was already laughing with her neighbors, retelling the story that everyone would remember for weeks — the hilarious day when the monkey took all the jelly 🤣🐒💛
