In the quiet glow of a new morning deep inside the forest, the monkey family was just beginning their day. Sunlight peeked through the tall trees, casting soft golden rays over the branches where Baby Momo, the tiniest monkey of the troop, was stretching his arms and yawning loudly. His fluffy little cheeks puffed in and out with every sleepy breath.
Momo blinked his bright eyes and looked around. While most of the forest was still waking up, one monkey was already busy and alert—his mother, Mama Lita. She was known among the troop for being gentle, patient, and extremely caring. No matter how busy the day became, she always made time to take care of her little one.
Today was no different. Mama Lita noticed something right away: Momo was scratching his ears… again.
“Hmm,” she murmured, raising an eyebrow. “Someone hasn’t been keeping his ears clean.”
Momo froze, his tiny fingers still at the side of his head. He looked up at his mother with innocent, wide eyes. “Mama… they’re just itchy!”
Mama Lita smiled. “I know, my little one. That’s why Mama needs to clean your ears today.”
Momo’s eyes grew even wider, as if she had just suggested moving to the moon. “Clean… my ears? Now?”
“Yes, now,” Mama Lita said in a playful, serious tone. “Sit here. Let Mama check.”
Momo sighed dramatically but shuffled toward his mother anyway. He plopped down on her lap with a tiny umph, crossing his arms like a very tiny but very annoyed king.
Mama Lita chuckled softly. “Don’t worry. It won’t hurt. You’ll feel better after.”
She gently tilted Momo’s head to the side, her fingers warm and soft. Momo tried to act brave, but his little feet twitched nervously. Mama Lita brushed aside a bit of his fuzzy hair, revealing the small pink ear underneath.
“Oh my,” she said softly. “What were you doing? Rolling in the leaves again?”
Momo giggled. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?” Mama Lita repeated, raising her eyebrow again. “You are always rolling in the leaves.”
“It’s fun!” Momo said proudly.
Mama Lita shook her head fondly. “Fun, yes. But dirty. And dirty ears get itchy.”
She began to gently clean the ear, using her soft fingers to wipe out the tiny bits of dust and leaf crumbs. Momo squirmed at first—it felt ticklish.
“Ah! Mama! That tickles!” he squealed, trying not to laugh.
“You have to stay still,” Mama Lita reminded. “Or I might miss a spot.”
Momo puffed out his cheeks again. “Okay, okay… I’ll stay still.”
But even as he said it, his tail curled and uncurled in excitement. Sitting still was not exactly Momo’s greatest skill.
Mama Lita smiled patiently and continued her careful cleaning. She checked every little fold, making sure her baby was comfortable and safe. Once the first ear was done, she turned Momo’s head gently to the other side.
“Now the other one.”
Momo sighed. “How many ears do I have, Mama?”
Mama burst into laughter. “Just two, silly boy. And we’re almost finished.”
This ear wasn’t as dirty, but Mama Lita cleaned it with the same love and attention. As she worked, Momo relaxed more and more. His shoulders dropped, his feet stopped twitching, and he leaned into his mother’s touch.
It felt warm. Comforting. Safe.
Other monkeys from the troop slowly awaken, stretching on nearby branches. A few of them noticed the scene—Mama Lita and Baby Momo sitting together, morning sunlight wrapping around them like a blanket. Some mothers smiled knowingly. They remembered those days too, when their little ones needed the same gentle care.
When Mama Lita finished, she tapped Momo’s nose softly. “There. All clean.”
Momo blinked as if waking from a nap. Then he shook his head fast—whoosh whoosh whoosh!—like a tiny dog shaking off water.
“MOMO!” Mama Lita laughed. “You’ll mess up your fur.”
But Momo didn’t care. He felt amazing.
“Mama! My ears feel so much better!” he said loudly, hopping up and down. “They’re not itchy anymore!”
Mama Lita nodded. “See? Clean ears, happy monkey.”
Momo grinned from ear to ear. Then he suddenly threw his tiny arms around her neck, hugging her so tightly that she almost toppled backwards.
“Thank you, Mama,” he said softly.
Mama Lita hugged him back, brushing her cheek against his soft fur. “You’re welcome, my little Momo.”
But Momo wasn’t done. He climbed to the highest branch just above his mother and called out to the whole forest:
“My mama cleaned my ears! Look! I feel great!”
Birds flew away from the sudden noise, and other monkeys looked up with amused faces.
One young monkey shouted back, “Momo! Do you want to play tag?”
“Yes!” Momo answered instantly. “Now I can hear you better!”
Mama Lita shook her head lovingly as her child hopped from branch to branch, full of life. She felt warmth in her heart watching him chase his friends, laughing so loudly that even the parrots nearby joined in with cheerful chirps.
But before he ran too far, Momo turned around and called out, “Mama! You’ll clean my ears again tomorrow?”
Mama Lita laughed and waved. “Only if you roll in the leaves again!”
Momo didn’t even try to hide his mischievous smile. “No promises!”
And with that, he disappeared behind a bunch of bright green leaves, his giggles echoing through the forest.
Mama Lita settled onto a branch, her tail curled around her for balance. She let out a soft breath of happiness. She knew her little monkey would grow up fast. Days like these—simple, peaceful moments—were treasures she held close to her heart.
As the forest fully awakened and sunlight filled every corner of their home, one thing was certain:
A mother’s love, even in something as small as cleaning a baby’s ears, could make the whole world feel safe.
And little Momo, with his clean, comfortable ears, was ready to enjoy every second of the beautiful day ahead.
