The morning sun spilled its golden light over the quiet little farm, where the soft hum of nature blended with the gentle rustle of leaves. It was a day like any other, yet for CUTIS, a clever and spirited little monkey, the weight in his tiny heart felt heavier than ever before.
For days, CUTIS had been restless. He missed something—someone, actually—deeply. His beloved Uncle Tu and his best friend CUBIS had been away, traveling to a distant village. Though CUTIS had many friends on the farm, none could fill the space left behind by the ones who understood him best. Every night, CUTIS curled up in his cozy basket, staring out at the moon, wondering when he would hear Uncle Tu’s warm laugh or feel CUBIS’ playful nudge again.
“Maybe they forgot about me,” CUTIS whispered to himself one night, his bright eyes glistening with tears he tried so hard to hide. But deep down, he knew Uncle Tu and CUBIS would never forget him. Still, the ache of missing them made every moment feel longer.
The Day of Return
Then, one sunny afternoon, something magical happened.
From a distance, CUTIS heard familiar voices. At first, he thought his mind was playing tricks on him. His little ears twitched, and his head shot up. Could it be? That warm, hearty laugh—the one that always made him feel safe? And that cheerful call, the sound of CUBIS’ voice, loud and filled with energy? CUTIS’ heart started racing.
He scampered to the edge of the bamboo fence, his tiny hands gripping the wood as he peeked out. And there they were—Uncle Tu, tall and strong, carrying a big basket of fruit, and right beside him, CUBIS, grinning from ear to ear as he waved wildly.
“CUTIS! Little buddy, we’re home!” CUBIS shouted.
CUTIS didn’t wait another second. With a joyful squeal, he leapt from the fence, scampering across the yard so fast that even the chickens scattered out of his way. His little heart thumped like a drum as he ran, his tail flicking in pure excitement.
The Hug That Broke the Dam
Uncle Tu saw him coming and knelt down, opening his arms wide. “Come here, my boy!” he called out, his voice thick with emotion. CUTIS didn’t slow down—he leapt straight into those strong, familiar arms and clung on tightly, his tiny fingers curling into Uncle Tu’s shirt as if afraid to ever let go.
And then, something unexpected happened. CUTIS began to cry.
At first, it was a soft whimper, but soon it grew into sobs that shook his little body. The tears poured down his furry cheeks, soaking into Uncle Tu’s shirt. All the loneliness, all the nights of missing them, all the fear that they might never return—it all came rushing out in that single moment.
“Oh, my sweet boy,” Uncle Tu murmured, holding him close and stroking his back. “I’m so sorry we were gone so long. We missed you too.”
CUBIS knelt beside them, his own eyes shimmering with emotion. He reached out and gently patted CUTIS on the head. “Hey, hey, don’t cry, little guy. We’re back now. And guess what—we brought you your favorite bananas!” He held up a bunch of golden-yellow bananas, hoping it would make CUTIS smile.
But CUTIS didn’t care about bananas, not right now. He buried his tiny face in Uncle Tu’s chest and clung even tighter, as if making sure this wasn’t a dream. Uncle Tu exchanged a glance with CUBIS, both of them understanding without words just how much CUTIS had missed them.
The Surprise Gift
After CUTIS finally calmed down, Uncle Tu reached into the big basket he had brought along. “We have something special for you,” he said with a smile. From the basket, he pulled out a tiny red scarf, soft and warm. “This is for you, CUTIS. So even if we’re ever far away, you’ll feel like we’re hugging you.”
CUTIS’ eyes widened as he touched the scarf, his tiny hands stroking the fabric. Uncle Tu gently wrapped it around his neck, and CUTIS beamed, feeling proud and loved. He gave Uncle Tu and CUBIS each a big kiss on the cheek, his way of saying thank you.
Playtime and Laughter
The rest of the day was filled with laughter. CUTIS, CUBIS, and Uncle Tu played in the yard, chasing each other, sharing fruits, and even taking a nap together under the mango tree. Every time CUTIS looked at them, his heart felt lighter, fuller. He realized something very important that day: family isn’t just about being together physically—it’s about love, and that love never truly goes away, even when someone is far.
As the sun set, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, CUTIS curled up in Uncle Tu’s lap, the little red scarf snug around his neck. His eyelids grew heavy, but his tiny heart was finally at peace. He whispered softly, almost like a secret: “I love you.”
And in that moment, Uncle Tu and CUBIS knew—they were more than a family. They were a promise. A promise to always come back, to always care, and to never let loneliness steal the joy from their little CUTIS again.
