The early morning sun stretched golden fingers through the tall trees, warming the little clearing where CUTIS and the baby monkey liked to play. Dewdrops sparkled on leaves like tiny jewels, and a soft breeze carried the scent of ripe fruit and damp earth. It was the kind of peaceful morning that made even the birds sing a little sweeter.
But today was different.
CUTIS sat on a smooth rock, tail swishing thoughtfully, eyes bright with excitement. The baby monkey perched beside him, hugging his knees, whispering in a conspiratorial tone.
“They’re coming today,” the baby monkey said, barely able to contain a grin. “Cubis and Uncle Tu will be here before sunset.”
CUTIS nodded seriously, though his ears twitched with anticipation. “We have to make it special. They’ve traveled so far.”
Cubis had been away for many weeks exploring distant orchards, and Uncle Tu—wise, gentle, and always full of stories—had gone along to guide him. Their return was a big moment, and CUTIS felt deep in his heart that it deserved a welcome they would never forget.
The baby monkey leaned closer. “Let’s do something secret… something no one else knows about.”
CUTIS tilted his head. “A surprise?”
“Yes!” The baby monkey clapped softly. “We’ll prepare a secret welcome.”
And so, under the rustling canopy, the two friends began their quiet mission.
First, they decided to decorate the clearing. CUTIS carefully gathered bright flowers—red hibiscus, yellow wild blooms, and soft purple petals—carrying them gently in his mouth. The baby monkey climbed nimbly from branch to branch, tying vines into loops and hanging them like garlands.
They worked quietly, giggling whenever a petal fell or a vine tickled their noses.
“Do you think they’ll like it?” the baby monkey asked.
CUTIS wagged his tail. “They’ll love it. It comes from our hearts.”
Next came the feast. CUTIS knew all the best places to find fruit. He led the way through winding paths to a hidden grove where jackfruit hung heavy on branches and mangoes glowed like little suns.
The baby monkey’s eyes widened. “So much!”
They gathered bananas, guavas, and sweet berries, carefully placing everything in large leaves folded into baskets. CUTIS even dug up a few crunchy roots he knew Uncle Tu enjoyed.
As they carried their treasures back, the baby monkey paused. “We should make something… special.”
CUTIS looked curious. “Like what?”
“A welcome sign!” the baby monkey said, eyes shining.
Back in the clearing, they arranged small stones to spell out a simple message: “WELCOME HOME.” CUTIS nudged each stone into place with careful precision while the baby monkey adjusted them from above.
When they stepped back, both felt a warm glow of pride.
But the baby monkey had one more idea.
“Let’s prepare a surprise performance,” he whispered.
CUTIS’s ears perked. “A performance?”
“We’ll sing and dance when they arrive!”
CUTIS barked softly in delight. He practiced a gentle rhythm by tapping his paws on a hollow log, while the baby monkey rehearsed playful jumps and spins. They laughed through every mistake, determined to make it perfect.
As the day passed, the forest seemed to join their excitement. Butterflies drifted through beams of sunlight, and the distant call of birds sounded like music.
By afternoon, everything was ready.
They hid behind a cluster of bushes near the clearing’s entrance, peeking out eagerly.
“Do you think they’re close?” the baby monkey whispered.
CUTIS sniffed the air. “I can smell them… faintly.”
Moments later, footsteps approached—the steady stride of Uncle Tu and the lighter steps of Cubis. Their voices floated through the trees, warm and familiar.
The baby monkey’s heart pounded. “Now?”
CUTIS nodded.
They waited until Cubis and Uncle Tu stepped into the clearing.
“Surprise!” the baby monkey shouted, leaping out.
CUTIS bounded forward, tail wagging furiously, paws tapping the rhythm they had practiced.
Cubis stopped in amazement, eyes wide as he took in the flower garlands, the fruit feast, and the stone message.
Uncle Tu’s face softened into a gentle smile. “What is all this?”
CUTIS barked happily, circling them, while the baby monkey performed his little dance, ending with a playful bow.
“We wanted to welcome you home,” the baby monkey said shyly.
Cubis knelt, touched by the effort. “You did all this… for us?”
CUTIS nodded proudly.
Uncle Tu looked around slowly, eyes glistening. “This is the kindest welcome anyone could ask for.”
They all sat together beneath the decorated branches, sharing fruit and laughter. Cubis told stories of distant valleys and sparkling rivers, while Uncle Tu spoke of lessons learned on the journey.
As the sun dipped low, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, a peaceful feeling settled over the clearing.
Later, as fireflies began to glow, Cubis turned to CUTIS and the baby monkey.
“I felt tired from traveling,” he said softly. “But seeing this… it filled my heart with joy.”
Uncle Tu nodded. “You reminded us of something important—that love and thoughtfulness make every journey worthwhile.”
The baby monkey leaned against CUTIS, feeling content. “We just wanted you to feel happy.”
CUTIS rested his head on his paws, watching the stars appear one by one.
The forest seemed to hum gently, as if sharing in their quiet celebration.
Before bedtime, Uncle Tu gathered them close.
“Today wasn’t just about a welcome,” he said. “It was about friendship. True friends think of each other, even in small ways.”
Cubis smiled. “And sometimes the simplest gestures mean the most.”
The baby monkey looked at CUTIS. “I’m glad we did our secret plan.”
CUTIS wagged his tail softly, eyes shining.
They lay together under the vast night sky, listening to the soft sounds of the forest—the rustle of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, the gentle whisper of the wind.
In that moment, they all felt deeply connected.
As days passed, the memory of that special welcome stayed with them. Whenever someone felt tired or worried, they would recall the decorated clearing, the laughter, and the warmth of being together.
CUTIS and the baby monkey often returned to the spot, sometimes adding new flowers or sharing quiet conversations.
One afternoon, Cubis said thoughtfully, “That day reminded me that home isn’t just a place. It’s the people who care about you.”
Uncle Tu nodded. “And kindness is a language everyone understands.”
The baby monkey grinned. “We should do surprises more often.”
CUTIS barked in agreement.
Years later, stories of that secret welcome would still be told among friends—how two companions worked quietly with love and imagination to create a moment that touched hearts.
And whenever someone new arrived, they would be greeted with the same spirit of warmth and joy.
Because CUTIS and the baby monkey had shown them that even small acts—flowers gathered at dawn, fruit shared at sunset, a simple message spelled in stones—could create memories that last a lifetime.
Under the endless sky, in a clearing filled with laughter, they learned that welcoming others with open hearts is one of the most beautiful gifts of all.
And so, the story of CUTIS, the baby monkey, Cubis, and Uncle Tu became a gentle reminder whispered through the trees:
That friendship, kindness, and a little secret effort can turn an ordinary day into something truly magical.
