It was a peaceful morning at the edge of the forest. The sun filtered through the trees, and the birds chirped softly as the forest began to stir. In a small wooden house nestled among the trees lived a loving farmer named Cutis and his adopted baby monkey, Lulu. Lulu had been part of Cutis’ family since she was a tiny infant, rescued after her troop had moved on, leaving her alone and helpless.
Lulu was mischievous but sweet. She loved swinging from the rafters of the porch, clinging to Cutis’ shoulders, and nibbling on ripe bananas he brought from the market. But like all children, Lulu had a curious spirit—one that sometimes got her into trouble.
That morning, while Cutis was busy feeding the chickens and preparing the vegetable garden, Lulu sat quietly by the window. She watched butterflies flutter through the grass and squirrels chase each other through the trees. Then she saw something new—a red balloon floating in the distance, slowly drifting beyond the trees.
Lulu’s big brown eyes widened. The balloon was beautiful. She glanced at Cutis, who had his back turned. Her little monkey mind made a quick decision: she had to follow it.
Without a sound, Lulu tiptoed toward the back door. She’d seen Cutis open it a hundred times, and now she managed to unlatch it with her tiny hands. Slipping out into the sunlight, she scampered across the yard and into the forest.
The trees seemed taller outside the safety of her home. The sounds were louder, the smells richer. But Lulu was focused. The balloon had caught in a low tree branch just ahead. With excitement bubbling in her chest, she climbed up, reaching for it.
Suddenly, a loud CRACK echoed through the forest. The branch Lulu was on snapped under her weight. With a frightened squeal, she tumbled to the forest floor, landing awkwardly on her side.
She lay there stunned. Her tiny body ached. One of her arms was twisted at a strange angle, and her leg throbbed. Lulu tried to stand but collapsed again. Tears welled up in her eyes. She had never felt pain like this before.
Back at home, Cutis was calling her name.
“Lulu? Lulu, where are you, little one?”
He searched the house, the porch, and the chicken coop. Panic began to grow in his heart. He knew Lulu was clever, but she had never left the yard alone before. He grabbed his hat, a flashlight, and a walking stick, then raced into the woods, calling her name.
Lulu could hear his voice, faintly. But she was too weak to respond. She tried again, letting out a soft, pitiful whimper. It was enough.
Cutis paused, turning his ear toward the sound. Then again, he heard it—just barely—a soft cry. He moved toward it quickly, pushing branches aside, heart pounding. Then he saw her: his beloved Lulu lying at the base of the tree, trembling.
“Oh no… Lulu!” he gasped, kneeling beside her.
He gently examined her. She was injured—her arm was likely broken, and her leg was badly bruised. Cutis carefully lifted her into his arms. Lulu clung to him weakly, nuzzling into his chest.
“Why did you leave, silly girl?” he whispered, choking back tears. “You scared me.”
Back at the house, Cutis worked quickly. He had some knowledge of animal care from the village vet. He wrapped Lulu’s arm in a soft cloth, created a splint with sticks, and gently massaged her sore leg. Then he gave her some warm milk and held her close while she rested.
Over the next few days, Lulu stayed very quiet. She no longer climbed the furniture or chased the chickens. She simply curled up in Cutis’ lap or slept on a soft blanket in her basket. The accident had shaken her deeply.
Cutis, though still worried, never scolded her. Instead, he comforted her, gently speaking words of love and reassurance.
“You’re still my brave girl,” he told her. “Even when you make mistakes.”
Word of the accident spread quickly through the nearby village. Locals who adored Lulu began to visit, bringing her fruit and toys. One woman brought her a new red balloon. Lulu’s eyes lit up at the sight, but she didn’t chase it this time. Instead, she clutched it gently and held it close.
A few weeks later, Lulu’s splint came off. She was healing well, though she still limped slightly. But something had changed. She was still playful, but now she always stayed close to Cutis. She watched the world with wiser eyes.
One day, as they sat together on the porch, Cutis looked down at her and said, “You know, it’s okay to be curious, but it’s important to stay safe too.”
Lulu nodded, as if understanding every word.
From then on, she never tried to sneak out again. If she wanted to explore, she would tug on Cutis’ sleeve and point with her finger, chattering softly. And Cutis, smiling, would take her hand and say, “Let’s go together.”
The bond between them had grown even stronger after the accident. Lulu learned the value of home, of safety, and most importantly, of love. And Cutis, once again, was reminded how deeply he cared for the little monkey who had changed his life.
Every evening as the sun set, they would sit together, watching the forest. Lulu would rest her head on his shoulder, a quiet reminder that even the wildest hearts can find comfort in love—and that sometimes, even a painful accident can lead to a beautiful new beginning.
