In a lively jungle filled with colors, chatter, and endless mischief, there was one monkey who stood out from the rest—not because he was brave, strong, or clever, but because he was incredibly dramatic. His name was Toki.
Toki was a funny young monkey with wild fur, big round eyes, and the personality of someone who thinks the whole forest revolves around him. He was friendly—sometimes. Playful—when he felt like it. And dramatic—always. Everyone knew that if anything unexpected happened around Toki, he would react as if the sky was falling.
But nothing prepared him for the arrival of the newest member of the troop:
A tiny, curious baby monkey named Nunu.
Nunu was the complete opposite of Toki. Small, fearless, and clingy, he loved exploring, climbing on everyone, and sticking his tiny hands into anything that looked interesting—especially other monkeys’ fur.
From the moment Nunu learned to walk, he made it his mission to befriend Toki.
And from the moment Toki realized this, he made it his mission to stay far, far away.
The First Encounter
One sunny morning, the troop gathered near the riverbank. Birds sang overhead, butterflies fluttered around, and the air smelled sweet with the scent of ripe fruit.
Toki sat on a rock, grooming himself like he was preparing for a magazine photoshoot. He smoothed his fur, checked his reflection in the water, and made sure each hair was perfectly in place.
Then—disaster approached.
Tiny footsteps pattered behind him. A soft squeak filled the air.
“Toki… Toki… play with me!”
Toki froze.
That voice. That tiny squeaky voice.
He slowly turned his head. There stood Nunu, eyes sparkling with excitement, arms outstretched, ready for a hug.
Toki’s soul left his body.
“Oh no,” he squeaked, scooting an inch away.
Nunu toddled forward.
Toki scooted faster.
Nunu lunged with surprising speed for a baby.
Toki jumped off the rock, scrambling backward like he just saw a ghost.
The other monkeys burst into laughter.
Even the parrots overhead chirped like they were teasing him.
“TOKI!” Nunu squealed, running after him.
Toki held his hands up. “No no no—don’t touch me! You’re sticky! And you drool!”
Nunu giggled, which only made him chase even faster.
The Great Escape
Toki ran through bushes, leaping from one branch to another.
Nunu, determined, followed clumsily, tripping over vines but always catching up.
“Toki! Hug!”
“No hugs! Absolutely no hugs!” he shouted dramatically.
At one point, Nunu reached him and stretched out a little hand.
Toki yelped, jumped back, slipped, and fell straight into a pile of leaves. Nunu fell on top of him and hugged him tightly.
Toki screamed like he had been attacked by a wild tiger.
“HE’S TOUCHING ME!!”
The older monkeys laughed so hard they rolled on the ground.
Nunu Never Gives Up
For the next few days, Nunu continued his mission.
Whenever Toki climbed a tree—Nunu followed.
When Toki ate fruit—Nunu crawled into his lap.
When Toki tried to groom his perfect fur—Nunu tangled it with his tiny fingers.
“Stop!” Toki cried. “No! Don’t touch me! Why are your hands always sticky?!”
He tried hiding behind boulders, under leaves, inside abandoned bird nests—anywhere. But Nunu always found him.
One afternoon, Toki was relaxing on a branch when Nunu suddenly appeared from below like a surprise ninja.
“Toki! Play!”
Toki jumped so hard he fell out of the tree and landed in a bush… again.
Nunu clapped happily. “Again! Again!”
Toki groaned. “Please… somebody save me.”
The Turning Point
One evening, the sky glowed orange as the sun began to set. The troop settled down for the night, but Nunu was restless. A loud crack of thunder echoed through the forest as a storm rolled in.
Rain poured down.
Nunu trembled. He hated thunder. The loud booms made him shake, and the cold raindrops made him whimper.
Toki watched from a dry spot under a large leaf, trying to ignore him. But even he couldn’t pretend he didn’t hear the tiny sobs.
Nunu curled up into a small ball, shivering.
Toki sighed dramatically. “Ugh. Why do I feel guilty?”
He slowly, reluctantly approached Nunu.
“Hey… little monkey?” he said gently.
Nunu sniffled and looked up with big teary eyes.
Another thunderclap boomed. Nunu jumped and hugged Toki’s leg tightly.
Toki froze again. “Oh no… he’s touching me…”
But then he felt Nunu shaking. Really shaking.
And something in Toki’s heart softened.
“Oh… he’s scared.”
Slowly, Toki picked him up—awkwardly, like he wasn’t sure where to place his hands—and held him close.
“Okay, okay,” he whispered, “just for tonight.”
Nunu immediately snuggled into his chest, comforted, warm, safe.
Toki felt a strange warmth too.
“Alright,” he sighed, “maybe hugs aren’t that bad.”
A New Beginning
The next morning, the rain had stopped and sunlight returned to the jungle. The troop woke up to an unusual sight:
Toki and Nunu sleeping cuddled together on a branch.
The monkeys gasped.
“Toki let him touch him??”
“Is that really Toki?”
Toki woke up and instantly realized what had happened.
He gently pushed Nunu away. “Okay, that’s enough. Personal space again!”
But Nunu just giggled and hugged him tighter.
Toki rolled his eyes. “Oh no… he thinks we’re friends now…”
The troop laughed.
Nunu looked up at Toki with pure love.
“Toki… my brother.”
Toki blinked. “Brother?”
Nunu nodded, wrapping both arms around Toki’s neck.
Toki hesitated… then smiled.
“Fine,” he said softly. “But no sticky hands today, okay?”
Nunu nodded seriously, even though his hands were already sticky from breakfast fruit.
Toki sighed. “Oh boy… here we go again.”
The jungle filled with laughter as Nunu climbed onto Toki’s back, giggling happily.
And even though Toki pretended to complain, deep down, he didn’t mind anymore.
Not one bit.
