The sun was just beginning to sink behind the tall banana trees when little Puppy Monkey finished his bottle of warm, sweet Koko. Everyone in the small village loved calling him “Puppy Monkey” because he acted like a loyal puppy but climbed like a playful monkey. His big round eyes, fluffy cheeks, and tiny hands made him look extra adorable—especially when he held his bottle with both hands and drank with little sips sips sips of happiness.
Today had been a long day for the little one. He had spent the morning rolling in soft leaves, the afternoon swinging on low branches, and the evening running in circles just because he loved to feel the wind on his face. So now, with his tummy full of Koko, his energy slowly melting away, Puppy Monkey felt the wave of sleepiness begin to wash over him.
His caretaker, gentle Sister Lyna, sat beside him on the wooden porch. She smiled as Puppy Monkey blinked slower and slower.
“Are you getting sleepy, my little one?” she whispered softly.
Puppy Monkey didn’t answer in words—of course he couldn’t—but he let out a tiny, cute sigh and leaned his head on Lyna’s arm. His little tail curled around her wrist like it always did when he felt safe. Lyna laughed quietly. “Aw, you’re so soft today. Come here.”
She lifted him gently into her lap. Puppy Monkey yawned, his tiny mouth opening wide as his eyes squeezed shut. The yawn was so big that it made Lyna laugh again. “Okay, okay, someone is really ready for bed.”
But Puppy Monkey didn’t want to sleep too fast. Even though he was exhausted, he still tried to keep his eyes open. He looked around at the fireflies glowing in the dusk and listened to the crickets starting to sing. His head bobbed once… twice… and then he tried to sit up straight like he was still strong enough to stay awake.
Lyna touched his cheek with her finger. “You’re fighting it, aren’t you?”
Puppy Monkey blinked once, then leaned forward so his forehead rested on her chest. That was his way of saying, Yes, but I’m losing.
A soft breeze passed through the yard. The leaves rustled gently like they were whispering a lullaby just for him. The sky was turning a gentle orange mixed with purple, the perfect sleepy colors. Puppy Monkey’s eyelids drooped again.
Lyna stroked his back in slow circles. “Little one… you’ve played enough today. After your Koko, you need a good sleep.”
As if the word sleep had magic power, Puppy Monkey yawned again—this time so hard that he nearly toppled over. Lyna steadied him with both arms and held him closer. “Alright, alright,” she said softly. “Let’s get you comfortable.”
She stood up carefully, keeping Puppy Monkey tucked against her shoulder. He snuggled into her, nuzzling her neck with his warm face. His hands clung gently to her shirt, and his feet curled in. He made a tiny humming sound—the one he always made when he was falling asleep after drinking Koko.
Inside the house, the lights were dim. The soft glow made everything feel peaceful. Lyna carried him to his little sleeping basket lined with blankets that smelled like sunshine. But when she tried to lower him down, Puppy Monkey tightened his tiny fingers and refused to let go.
“You don’t want to sleep alone tonight?” Lyna asked with a smile.
He shook his head slowly, still half asleep. His cheeks puffed out like a little dumpling.
“Okay then,” she whispered. “How about I sit next to you until you fall asleep?”
That worked. Puppy Monkey loosened his hands and allowed her to lay him gently in the basket. He immediately curled into a tiny ball, pulling the blanket to his chin. Lyna sat beside him on a mat, watching him settle in.
For a moment, Puppy Monkey’s eyes opened slightly. He looked up at her, making sure she was still there. Lyna leaned down and touched her forehead to his. “I’m not going anywhere,” she whispered.
Satisfied, Puppy Monkey blinked slowly again. His breathing grew soft, steady, and peaceful.
But just when he was almost asleep—almost—a single mosquito flew past his ear with a tiny buzz. Puppy Monkey’s eyes shot half open. His tail twitched.
Lyna giggled. “It’s okay. I’ll keep the bugs away.” She waved her hand gently until the mosquito drifted off.
Puppy Monkey dropped back into his sleepy softness. His little fingers relaxed. His tail uncurlled. His breathing evened out. His whole body melted into the blanket.
Sleep was winning.
Once he finally let go, it didn’t take long. His eyes closed fully. His mouth relaxed into a tiny pout. His ears settled flat. Lyna watched as his chest rose and fell peacefully.
But she wasn’t done yet.
She gently adjusted the blanket around him so he wouldn’t get cold. Then she took the empty Koko bottle, placed it on the shelf, and returned to sit beside him one more time.
The room was so quiet that she could hear Puppy Monkey’s soft breaths, each one sounding like a tiny whisper of safety and comfort. The world outside was darker now, but inside everything felt warm and calm.
Lyna smiled softly. “Goodnight, my sleepy boy. You did so well today.”
Even though Puppy Monkey was fully asleep, his tail twitched happily at the sound of her voice—as if he could still hear her in his dreams.
As the night settled around them, Lyna thought about how much the little one had grown. A few weeks ago, he would cry loudly if he drank his Koko too fast or didn’t get enough cuddles before bed. But now he was calmer, happier, and more trusting. He knew that after drinking his warm Koko, he didn’t need to worry. A soft place to sleep and someone who cared deeply for him were always waiting.
And that feeling—that peaceful understanding—was what made nights like this so sweet.
Outside, the fireflies blinked gently, lighting up the garden like tiny stars. The leaves swayed softly. The crickets continued their slow nighttime music.
Inside, Puppy Monkey slept soundly, dreaming of leaves to roll in, big branches to climb, and the warm Koko he would drink again in the morning.
Lyna whispered one last goodnight before standing up. She didn’t want to wake him. She looked back at him one more time—his tiny chest rising and falling, his soft face calm, his little hands resting above the blanket. So peaceful, so content, so deeply loved.
And all because of a long day, a warm bottle of Koko, and the simple comfort of knowing he was safe.
Tonight, Puppy Monkey slept with a full tummy…
and an even fuller heart.
