Deep in the warm green heart of the forest, where birds sang like tiny bells and the wind carried the sweet smell of ripe fruit, lived a little baby monkey named Miko. Miko was only a few months old—small, playful, and full of endless curiosity. His big round eyes sparkled like morning dew, and his tiny hands were always busy exploring something new. But today, there was only one thing on Miko’s mind: fruit.
The sun climbed higher above the treetops, painting everything with soft gold. Miko sat on a low branch near his family’s resting spot, swinging his little feet back and forth. His tummy gave a small growl. It was that time again—the best time of the day.
“Mamaaa,” Miko squeaked, tugging at his mother’s fur. “Hungry.”
Mama Monkey smiled. “I know, little one. Today I found something special for you.”
Miko’s ears perked up. “Special?”
But Mama didn’t tell him. Instead, she gently picked him up and placed him on her back. They moved through the forest, leaves brushing their fur, until they reached a spot bursting with bright colors.
A fruit tree stood proudly at the center of a clearing. On its branches hung the most delicious treasures: shiny yellow bananas, plump red berries, purple figs dripping with sweetness, and a huge melon cracked open on the ground by some helpful elephant.
Miko gasped. “Fruit! So many!”
Mama chuckled softly. “Choose what you want.”
Without wasting a second, Miko scrambled down from her back and rushed toward the fallen melon. The sweet smell hit his nose, and he giggled in excitement. Carefully, he dipped his tiny fingers into the soft pink flesh and lifted it to his mouth.
“Mm!” His eyes widened. “Mama! So sweet!”
Juice dribbled down his chin, but Miko didn’t care. He scooped up another handful. Each bite tasted like sunshine mixed with candy. Birds nearby chirped as if cheering him on, watching the small monkey enjoy his feast.
After finishing a small chunk of melon, Miko’s attention jumped to a cluster of berries glistening in the shade. He waddled toward them, still sticky from melon juice. With a dramatic stretch—because baby monkeys love to exaggerate—Miko plucked a berry and inspected it closely.
“Red,” he whispered. “Round. Maybe yummy.”
He popped it into his mouth.
“Mm! Yes! Yummy!”
Soon his lips were purple, and his cheeks looked like he had painted them with berry juice. Mama watched lovingly, shaking her head as if thinking, My child is a walking fruit salad.
But Miko wasn’t done. His eyes darted next to a bunch of bananas hanging low enough for even his tiny hands to grab. He leaped, missed, tried again, and finally managed to hook one with his determined little fingers.
He tugged. The banana fell—straight onto his head.
Mama burst out laughing. “Careful, Miko!”
He giggled too, peeled the banana in the most messy way possible, and took a huge bite. It was soft, smooth, and sweet. He closed his eyes, swaying side to side, enjoying the perfect flavor.
As he ate, his older sister Lala arrived swinging through the branches. “Miko! You’re eating everything!”
“Not everything,” Miko replied proudly, “just fruit.”
She tapped his nose. “You look funny.”
He blinked. “Me?”
Lala held up a shiny leaf. On it was his reflection—sticky cheeks, purple lips, a piece of banana stuck on his ear, and seeds clinging to his fur.
Miko gasped dramatically. “I’m fruit monkey now!”
Mama nodded. “Yes, a very juicy one.”
Lala picked a fig and sat beside him. “Want to share?”
Miko took a small bite from her hand. It was soft and warm from the sun. He sighed happily and leaned against her shoulder. “Lala… fruit best.”
“Yes,” Lala said. “But maybe slow down.”
But slowing down wasn’t in Miko’s nature. The forest was full of smells and colors, and he wanted to try everything. After finishing the fig, he crawled toward a pair of fallen guavas.
He poked one gently. It felt firm but smelled amazing. He bit into it and made a surprised face.
“Mmm… crunchy!”
He took another bite… then another… and another. Even when a butterfly landed on his head, Miko didn’t stop chewing.
Lala whispered to Mama, “If he keeps eating like this, we might roll him home.”
Mama laughed softly. “Let him explore. He’s learning. Every fruit teaches him something new.”
As Miko continued his little tasting adventure, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves above. It carried the warm scent of ripe jackfruit. Miko froze mid-chew, his nose twitching.
“Smell… BIG fruit!” He pointed excitedly.
Mama followed the scent until they found a jackfruit cracked open from falling off the tree. The inside was golden, sticky, and unbelievably sweet. Miko touched it, but it clung to his fingers like glue.
“Sticky!” he said, trying to shake his hand. He waved it so hard that a piece of the fruit flew into the air—landing right on Lala’s head.
“Hey!” she squeaked.
Miko covered his mouth, giggling uncontrollably.
Mama sighed, amused. “Eat slowly, Miko.”
He sat down, scooped up a small piece of jackfruit, and tasted it carefully this time. His eyes widened all over again. “Mama! This fruit biggest sweet!”
They ate together—Mama, Lala, and Miko—sharing fruits of every color and flavor. The forest hummed around them, alive with peaceful sounds. The family of monkeys sat on the soft grass, enjoying the afternoon together.
When Miko finally finished his fruit adventure, he lay on his back, belly round and full, hands resting on his chest. His fur was sticky, his face messy, and his smile brighter than sunlight through the leaves.
“Mama…” he murmured sleepily.
“Yes, my little fruit monkey?”
“I like fruit… but… I think… I’m sleepy now.”
Mama gently lifted him into her arms. “Come, let’s clean you up and rest.”
Lala tickled his foot. “Tomorrow you can eat more.”
Miko yawned. “Tomorrow… mango…”
The trees swayed softly as Mama carried him home. The forest, filled with the sweet scent of fruit and warm afternoon light, watched over the tiny monkey drifting into peaceful nap-time dreams—dreams full of bananas, berries, melons, and every delicious treat the forest could grow.
And from that day on, whenever anyone in the forest saw a half-eaten fruit lying around, or sticky little footprints, they all knew:
“Miko has been here.”
