Deep in the quiet corners of the forest, where the dense canopy filtered the morning sunlight into soft golden beams, a tiny figure trembled behind a thicket of tall grass. Hidden among fallen leaves and twisted roots was a small monkey, barely the size of a housecat. He was alone, frightened, and uncertain of the world around him.
His name was Miko.
Miko had gotten separated from his troop during a loud thunderstorm the night before. In the confusion and panic of the wind and pouring rain, he’d darted away from the group to find shelter. When he finally emerged, the forest was unfamiliar, and the calls of his family were nowhere to be heard.
Now, Miko crouched silently, his eyes wide and alert for danger. He hadn’t eaten since the previous day, and his little stomach rumbled. Every rustle of leaves made him flinch. He missed the warmth of his mother’s arms, the playful chattering of his siblings, and the safety of familiar trees.
He was alone—but not for long.
A Curious Farmer and a Chance Encounter
Not far from where Miko hid, a kind-hearted farmer named Cutis was walking along a trail with a basket of bananas, heading toward the forest edge where he often left fruit for the wildlife. He believed in living in harmony with nature and often helped feed the smaller creatures who couldn’t forage well during storms.
As he approached the usual feeding spot, Cutis paused. Something felt… different. The birds were quieter. The air was still. Then, from the corner of his eye, he noticed the grass near the foot of a tree move just slightly.
Curious, Cutis knelt down and slowly peered between the stalks.
There he was—Miko. His small frame shaking, his eyes locked onto Cutis with a mixture of fear and curiosity. Cutis didn’t make any sudden moves. He simply sat down and placed a banana a few feet away on the ground. Then he backed off a little and waited.
Miko didn’t move for a long time. His eyes flicked between the banana and the man, unsure of what to do. Hunger eventually overcame his fear. Slowly, cautiously, he crept forward and grabbed the banana, retreating just as quickly into his hiding place.
Cutis smiled softly. “It’s okay, little one. You’re safe.”
Building Trust
Over the next few days, Cutis returned to the same spot at the same time, bringing fruit and clean water. Miko began to recognize him—not as a threat, but as a friend. He would peek out sooner, stay out longer, and eventually, he began to eat in front of Cutis instead of hiding away.
One morning, Cutis extended his hand while holding a small piece of banana. Miko hesitated but stepped forward. His tiny fingers brushed against the man’s palm as he accepted the offering. It was a powerful moment—trust had been built between two very different creatures.
From that day on, Miko stopped hiding in the bushes. He began following Cutis around the area, climbing onto his shoulder or sitting in his lap. He would chirp softly, tugging at Cutis’s shirt or pointing at things with curiosity. Cutis talked to him like he was a child, telling stories about the farm, the animals, and the people who lived nearby.
