
From the moment the sun peeked over the rooftops and painted the world with warm morning light, CUTIS was already awakeâwide-eyed, jittery, and bursting with excitement. Today wasnât just any normal day. Today was the day. After two long, quiet, painfully boring days without his tiny furry partner-in-chaos, the baby monkey was coming home from the hospital.
CUTIS had barely slept. All night he tossed and turned, kicking his blanket, rolling around like a fish on land, whispering, âHurry up morning, hurry up! I miss my little banana thief!â He even practiced how he would greet the baby monkeyâfive different versions, each more dramatic than the last. A big hug? A silly dance? Throwing confetti? Maybe a little welcome-back song?
By 7 AM, he was already outside pacing the yard like a guard on duty. He tapped his foot, he checked the gate every thirty seconds, he even climbed onto a stool and stretched his neck like a curious giraffe to look down the road.
âCUTIS⌠relax,â Mom laughed, sipping her tea. âTheyâll be here soon.â
âI am relaxed,â CUTIS insistedâwhile shaking like a blender on high speed.
Every tiny noise made him jump.
A bird chirped?
CUTIS sprinted to the gate.
A motorcycle far away?
CUTIS nearly tripped over his own shadow rushing to check.
The wind pushed a leaf across the ground?
CUTIS gasped like it was a sign from the universe.
But nothingânothingâprepared him for the moment the familiar hospital car appeared at the end of the street.
CUTIS froze.
His eyes widened.
His jaw dropped.




His whole body locked like a statueâonly his excited, wiggling toes gave away his emotions.
âTheyâre here!!!â he shouted, bolting toward the gate like a rocket fired into space.
The car hadnât even fully stopped when CUTIS yanked the gate open so fast it nearly flew off its hinges. He rushed forwardâhands waving, grin spreading across his face, heart practically doing cartwheels inside his chest.
Inside the car, tiny Baby Monkey peeked out from a soft blanket. His bright little eyes blinked, still tired from the hospital stay, but full of curiosity. His bandage wrapped neatly around his tiny leg made him look even more adorableâlike a baby superhero with a tiny injury badge of honor.
âBABY MONKEY!!! YOU’RE BACK!â CUTIS squealed, his voice cracking from excitement.
The little monkey chirped softlyâhalf greeting, half confusion at why CUTIS looked like heâd consumed ten cups of coffee.
The nurse gently lifted Baby Monkey into CUTISâs arms, and CUTIS held him as if he was cradling the most precious treasure in the entire universe. His heart felt warm, full, overflowing.
âYouâre okay⌠youâre finally okay,â he whispered, rubbing his cheek against Baby Monkeyâs tiny head.



Baby Monkey wrapped his little arms around CUTISâs neck, rested his head on his shoulder, and gave a soft, tired squeakâthe kind that said, I missed you too.
Mom stood beside them, smiling at the beautiful reunion. âTake him inside, CUTIS. Let him rest.â
But CUTIS was too excited to walk normally. He didnât walkâhe happily bounced, taking little dance steps, spinning once, and talking nonstop like a hyper squirrel.
âYou donât know how quiet it was here without you! I mean, no one messed with my hair, no one stole my snacks, no one climbed on my head or slapped my cheek or threw bananas at my shoes! It was awful!â
Baby Monkey blinked, then patted CUTISâs cheek gently as if saying, Missed me that much, huh?
CUTIS gasped dramatically. âHe understands me! He totally understands me!â
Inside the house, CUTIS had prepared the cutest little welcome station ever. A soft blanket laid out. A small basket of fruit. A stuffed toy that looked like a mini-monkey. And a big sign drawn in colorful markers: WELCOME HOME LITTLE BROTHER!
Mom laughed. âCUTIS, you made all this?â
âI stayed up all night,â he said proudly. âI wanted him to feel loved.â
Baby Monkey slowly crawled onto the blanket and snuggled into it, letting out a tiny yawn. CUTIS sat beside him, touching his hand softly.





âYou scared me,â CUTIS whispered. âDonât go getting sick again, okay? I need you. Youâre my best friend.â
Baby Monkey reached out and touched CUTISâs noseâboop! CUTIS giggled.
Mom left them alone to bond, knowing how much the two needed this moment.
CUTIS continued talking, telling Baby Monkey everything that had happened while he was gone.
âYesterday, a big bird stole my snack! And you werenât here to chase it! Also, I had to play alone⌠it was sad. Even my toys looked bored. And I accidentally ate a banana thinking of youâonly to realize it was rotten!â
Baby Monkey made a disgusted face, scrunching his little nose. CUTIS burst into laughter.
Then CUTIS leaned closer and whispered, âWanna hear a secret? I practiced carrying you like a baby so I wouldnât drop you when you came home.â
Baby Monkey tilted his head.
CUTIS demonstrated by picking up the stuffed monkeyâvery carefullyâgently rocking it like an infant.
But Baby Monkey, feeling better already, had his own idea. He suddenly leaped onto CUTISâs shoulderâsurprising him so much he toppled over backward like a startled turtle.
Mom rushed to checkâonly to find both of them on the floor laughing.
CUTIS wiped tears from his eyes. âYou little troublemaker! Hospital didnât slow you down at all!â





Baby Monkey climbed onto CUTISâs chest, patted him, then opened his mouth and gave CUTIS a tiny monkey kiss on the cheek.
CUTIS melted.
âItâs official,â he declared. âYouâre my little brother forever.â
For the rest of the day, CUTIS stayed close to Baby Monkeyâfeeding him small pieces of fruit, helping him move gently so he didnât hurt his leg, and telling joke after joke just to hear his tiny chirps of laughter.
In the evening, they watched the sunset together from the porch. Baby Monkey leaned against CUTISâs arm, cozy and content.
CUTIS whispered, âWhen youâre all healed, weâre gonna play so much. Weâll explore, run, jump, annoy Dad, steal snacks⌠everything!â
Baby Monkey squeaked happily.
CUTISâs smile softened.
âIâm just happy youâre home,â he said softly.
And as the sky turned gold and pink, they sat togetherâboy and monkey, best friends reunitedâhearts full, spirits bright, and laughter ready for tomorrow.
