The afternoon sun hung gently in the sky, casting soft shadows across the small family yard. A light breeze rustled the banana leaves, and the air carried the familiar smells of earth and home. CUTIS sat on the wooden steps, swinging his legs back and forth, his eyes bright with anticipation. Today felt special—not because of noise or excitement, but because something warm and quiet was about to happen.
Inside the house, Dad was sitting on a low stool, carefully holding Baby Monkey.
For a long time, Dad had been distant from Baby Monkey. Not unkind—just unsure. He was a strong, hardworking man, used to lifting heavy loads, fixing fences, and working long days in the fields. A tiny, fragile baby monkey felt different in his big hands. He worried about holding him wrong, about hurting him by accident. So while Mom and CUTIS took care of Baby Monkey every day, Dad usually watched from a distance.
CUTIS noticed this. And it made him a little sad.
CUTIS loved Baby Monkey deeply. To him, the baby was family—someone to protect, play with, and care for. He often wished Dad would feel the same closeness. “Dad just needs time,” Mom would say gently. CUTIS hoped she was right.
That afternoon, something changed.
Dad came home earlier than usual. His clothes were dusty, his face tired, but his eyes softened when he heard a small squeak from inside the house. Baby Monkey was awake, crawling clumsily across a mat, stopping every few seconds to chew on his own fingers.
Dad paused at the doorway. He watched silently.
CUTIS noticed and held his breath. He didn’t want to scare the moment away.
Mom looked up and smiled. “Do you want to hold him?” she asked Dad softly.
Dad hesitated. He scratched the back of his head, then nodded. “I… I can try.”
CUTIS’s heart jumped.
Mom gently lifted Baby Monkey and placed him into Dad’s arms. Dad stiffened at first, barely breathing, afraid to move. Baby Monkey looked up at him with wide, curious eyes. For a second, the baby monkey reached out and grabbed Dad’s finger with surprising strength.
Dad laughed—a quiet, surprised laugh.
“He’s strong,” Dad said, amazed.
CUTIS couldn’t stop smiling. He moved closer, sitting right at Dad’s feet, watching every tiny movement. Dad slowly adjusted his grip, holding Baby Monkey more comfortably. The baby leaned into Dad’s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Something softened in Dad’s face.
“He’s warm,” Dad murmured. “And… lighter than I thought.”
Baby Monkey yawned, then rested his head against Dad’s arm. The moment felt peaceful, almost magical. CUTIS felt his chest fill with happiness. This was what he had hoped for.
“Dad,” CUTIS said quietly, “I think he likes you.”
Dad looked down and smiled. “I think… I like him too.”
From that moment on, the distance disappeared.
Dad began spending more time with Baby Monkey. He learned how to hold him, how to feed him small pieces of fruit, how to rock him gently when he fussed. Sometimes Dad talked to him in a low voice, telling stories about the fields, the river, and the big world outside. Baby Monkey listened, eyes half-closed, comforted by the sound.
CUTIS watched it all with joy.
One evening, Dad sat outside with Baby Monkey on his lap, the sky glowing orange as the sun set. CUTIS brought a small ball and rolled it across the ground. Baby Monkey squealed and reached for it. Dad laughed loudly this time, helping the baby catch it.
“I didn’t know I could feel this way,” Dad admitted. “He’s part of us now.”
CUTIS beamed. “I knew you would love him.”
As days passed, the bond grew stronger. Dad woke up earlier to check on Baby Monkey before work. When he came home tired, Baby Monkey’s tiny hands and soft sounds made the exhaustion fade away. Even the neighbors noticed the change.
“Your husband has a new best friend,” one neighbor joked.
Dad just smiled proudly.
One afternoon, Baby Monkey got scared by a loud noise and started crying. Before Mom or CUTIS could react, Dad was already there, lifting the baby gently, rocking him until he calmed down. CUTIS watched, eyes shining. His dad—strong, steady, and gentle—was exactly what Baby Monkey needed.
That night, CUTIS lay in bed thinking about everything he had seen. He felt safe, happy, and proud. The family felt complete in a new way. Seeing Dad bond with Baby Monkey taught CUTIS something important: love doesn’t always come instantly. Sometimes it grows quietly, patiently, until one day it surprises you.
The next morning, CUTIS found Dad sitting on the porch again, Baby Monkey asleep in his arms. Dad looked up and smiled. “Good morning,” he whispered.
CUTIS smiled back, his heart full. This simple scene—Dad, Baby Monkey, and a peaceful morning—meant more to him than any gift.
Because in that bond, CUTIS saw not just love for Baby Monkey, but the strength of family, the beauty of kindness, and the joy that comes when hearts open to one another 🥰
