The morning sun had not yet climbed above the mountains when the forest began to wake. Dew drops shivered on every leaf, mist floated like soft clouds between the trees, and the air was cool—cool enough to make even the toughest animals fluff up their fur. Deep inside the forest, in a cozy little nest built between two wide branches, a tiny baby monkey named Lilo slowly opened his eyes.
Lilo blinked. His small body trembled, and he curled his long tail around himself. The cool morning breeze brushed his cheeks, and he let out a tiny whimper.
“Brr… it’s cold,” Lilo thought, rubbing his little hands together.
Mama Monkey was nearby, gathering sweet fruits she had stored for breakfast. She turned when she heard Lilo’s soft voice. Her heart instantly softened. She hurried back to the nest, carrying a handful of bright yellow fruits and a wide smile.
“Good morning, my little Lilo,” she said gently. “You’re awake early.”
Lilo sniffled and looked up at her with sleepy eyes. “Mama… I’m cold.”
Mama Monkey touched his tiny arms. They were cold like the dew-covered leaves around them. Without another word, she wrapped her strong, warm arms around him and pressed him against her chest. Lilo snuggled into her fur, feeling the warmth slowly spread through him.
“There,” Mama whispered. “Mama is here. You’re safe.”
Lilo relaxed, but the breeze still danced around them. “Mama, why is it so cold today?” he asked.
Mama Monkey sat down with Lilo curled in her lap. “Because the night rain came,” she explained. “It washed the air and made everything cool. But don’t worry. The sun will warm us soon.”
But Lilo still shivered a little. Mama noticed right away.
“I know something that might help,” she said with a sparkle in her eyes.
She lifted Lilo and carried him carefully down the tree. The morning forest was full of soft sounds—birds stretching their wings, insects humming lazily, and leaves whispering to each other. Mama Monkey stopped near a patch of wild banana leaves. They were big, green, and warm from the tiny bit of sunlight peeking through the clouds.
Mama picked the largest leaf and gently wrapped it around Lilo like a blanket.
Lilo giggled. “Mama! I’m a banana monkey now!”
Mama laughed. “Yes, my sweet fruit monkey.”
The leaf blanket worked—it trapped his warmth, and Lilo felt much better. But he still leaned against Mama as they climbed back up to the nest.
Mama Monkey fed him one of the yellow fruits she had collected earlier. Lilo took a bite, and the sweet juice warmed his little belly.
“Mmm… this helps too,” he said happily.
After breakfast, Mama tried to distract Lilo with a game. She hung from a branch upside down, making funny faces at him. Lilo laughed so hard he almost forgot he had been cold.
But suddenly, another cool breeze blew through the trees. Lilo shivered again and hugged himself tightly.
Mama Monkey sighed lovingly. “Still cold, little one?”
Lilo nodded.
“Alright,” Mama said. “Let’s visit the warmest place in the forest.”
Lilo’s eyes widened. “Where is that?”
“You’ll see.”
Mama lifted Lilo onto her back and started leaping from tree to tree. They passed the deep river, the bamboo grove, and the tall kapok tree. Birds swooped by, singing cheerful morning songs. Lilo clutched Mama’s fur, feeling safe with every jump.
Finally, they reached a rocky area where warm steam drifted into the air. Lilo’s eyes sparkled. “Mama! It’s warm here!”
“That’s right,” Mama said. “These rocks sleep in the warm earth. They hold heat even when the air is cold.”
Mama settled down between two warm rocks, and Lilo sat on her lap. Heat flowed around them like a gentle hug. Lilo relaxed instantly, stretching his tiny arms as if thanking the rocks for warming him.
“This feels so good,” he said softly.
Mama stroked his head. “When the weather is cold, we find warmth. When the weather is warm, we find shade. That’s how we take care of ourselves.”
They stayed there for a long while. The mist lifted, and sunlight began to pour between the trees. Lilo felt stronger, warmer, and much happier. Mama taught him a little rhyme:
“Cold wind may blow,
Sun will always glow,
Hold someone you love,
And warmth begins to grow.”
Lilo repeated it with a smile.
When they returned to their nest, Lilo discovered that the sun had finally reached their tree. The leaves glowed with golden light, and the nest felt warm again. Lilo climbed inside the nest and curled up. But this time, he wasn’t shivering.
Mama watched him proudly. “See? The forest warms up too.”
Lilo nodded. “Mama, I think I’m not cold anymore.”
“Good,” Mama said. “But if you ever feel cold again…” She touched his chest gently. “…you come to me. Mama will always warm you.”
Lilo’s heart felt warm in a different way—not just from the sun or rocks, but from Mama’s love. He climbed into her arms and gave her a tight, tiny hug.
“I love you, Mama,” he whispered.
Mama hugged him back, stronger and warmer than anything in the forest. “I love you too, my little Lilo.”
The wind blew again, but this time Lilo didn’t shiver. He was wrapped in warmth, comfort, and love. And as the sun climbed higher, the whole forest brightened, making everything feel soft and cozy.
Lilo spent the rest of the day exploring, playing, and jumping around. Each time a breeze brushed his fur, he remembered Mama’s warmth—both inside and outside. He wasn’t scared of the cold anymore.
And that night, when the sky turned dark and stars flickered above, Lilo curled into the nest beside Mama. She wrapped her arms and tail around him.
This time, even when the cool night returned, Lilo slept peacefully, knowing he had a safe place and someone who would always make him warm.
