






It was a bright and sunny morning in the countryside, the kind of day that made everything feel a little more alive. Birds chirped happily in the trees, flowers swayed with the breeze, and the air smelled of sunshine and fresh grass. But nothing about that peaceful day could have prepared Yen Nhi for what was about to happen during her simple morning cycling routine.
Yen Nhi, with her usual pink helmet and a bright yellow bicycle, was determined to ride around the village path without stopping. âIâll finish three laps today!â she told herself proudly. She had only just started pedaling when CUTIS, the ever-curious farmer with the heart of a child, noticed her from his yard.
Beside CUTIS sat his newest little companionâan adorable, mischievous baby monkey who had only been with him for two months. The baby monkey, whom CUTIS had lovingly named LuLu, was smart, cheeky, and always looking for fun. And when LuLu saw Yen Nhi pedaling with such determination, his eyes lit up with excitement.
âWhat do you think, LuLu?â CUTIS grinned. âShould we go say hi to Yen Nhi?â
But LuLu didnât just want to say hi. He had other plansâplans that involved teasing, playing, and a whole lot of giggling.
As Yen Nhi cycled past CUTISâs farm, she gave a friendly wave. âGood morning, CUTIS! Morning, LuLu!â
But before she could even pass the gate, LuLu darted out, ran alongside her bike, and gave her front wheel a playful tap.





âHey!â she giggled, nearly losing her balance. âYou little rascal!â
CUTIS ran after LuLu, half-laughing, half-scolding. âLuLu! Be careful! We donât want her falling into the pond like last time!â
âOh no, not again,â Yen Nhi muttered, remembering the last time LuLu had surprised her and she ended up soaked and muddy.
Still, she kept riding, determined not to let the baby monkey distract her. But CUTIS, always one to enjoy a bit of harmless fun, whistled and called LuLu back. âCome here, little one. Letâs really have some fun today.â
The two of them quickly came up with a playful plan. Yen Nhi had just completed one lap and was wiping her forehead when she saw something odd aheadâbanana peels! Someone had lined them up neatly across the path like a slippery obstacle course.
âCUTIS!â she shouted. âIs this your doing?â
But it wasnât CUTIS alone. LuLu stood nearby, dancing and clapping as if to say, âLetâs see how good your balance is!â
Yen Nhi sighed, laughing despite herself. She rode carefully through the banana traps, wobbling a little, but managing to stay upright. CUTIS applauded loudly. âBravo, Yen Nhi! But can you handle level two?â
âLevel two?â she repeated, eyebrows raised.
Just ahead, she saw a string tied across two bushes. Hanging from it were colorful pieces of cloth, each fluttering wildly in the wind. âCycling through a monkey-made car wash?â she laughed.
As she pedaled through the waving cloths, LuLu jumped onto her shoulderâgently, like a leaf landingâand gave a little squeal. Yen Nhi almost toppled but steadied herself. âYou really want me to fall today, donât you?â








âChii-chii!â LuLu chirped, clearly enjoying the ride.
From behind, CUTIS filmed the entire scene with his phone, giggling like a child. âThis is gold! Wait till the village sees Yen Nhiâs monkey-riding circus!â
Yen Nhi finally stopped her bike, breathless and laughing. âOkay, okay! You win. No more teasing!â
But LuLu wasnât done. He jumped down and ran toward a parked tricycle CUTIS often used for carrying vegetables. Climbing onto the seat, he grabbed the handlebars and made monkey noises like he was imitating her cycling efforts.
âNow he’s mocking my style?!â Yen Nhi laughed, pretending to be offended.
âLooks like heâs challenging you to a race,â CUTIS said, winking. âLuLu versus Yen Nhi. What do you say?â
âFine!â she replied, mounting her bike. âBut no banana peels this time!â
They lined up at the start of the dusty path. CUTIS raised his hand like a referee. âOn your mark⌠get set⌠GO!â
Yen Nhi pedaled hard, laughing all the way. LuLu, meanwhile, pushed the tricycle with his feet, squeaking and grunting with effort. CUTIS ran alongside cheering for both. It was a hilarious raceâYen Nhi zoomed ahead, only to slow down when she saw LuLu flapping a flag made of a big leaf. She let him pass, just for fun.







By the time they crossed the imaginary finish line, the three of them collapsed into laughter under a big tamarind tree. Yen Nhi lay on the grass, trying to catch her breath.
âYou two are the worst cycling buddies ever,â she said, grinning.
âBut weâre the funniest!â CUTIS declared.
âAnd the most unforgettable,â she agreed, watching LuLu now trying to balance on the bicycle seat like a little acrobat.














CUTIS handed her a bottle of water. âSame time tomorrow?â
Yen Nhi shook her head in mock horror. âOnly if you promise no more banana traps!â
LuLu ran up with a banana in his hand and placed it gently in her bike basket, as if sealing the deal.
The sun continued to shine, and the village echoed with laughter. For a simple morning bike ride, it had turned into one of the most joyful days Yen Nhi had had in a long time. Thanks to a cheeky baby monkey and a playful farmer, cycling had never been so entertaining.
And as word spread, everyone in the village wanted to know: whenâs the next race between Yen Nhi and the monkey?