It was one of those bright, cheerful mornings when even the clouds seemed to smile. The forest buzzed with energy—birds chirped in playful melodies, leaves shimmered under warm sunlight, and somewhere in the distance a woodpecker tapped out a rhythm like a tiny drummer warming up for a show.
CUTIS stretched lazily near the big banyan tree, letting out a content sigh. Nearby, the baby monkey swung back and forth on a low branch, clearly bursting with excitement.
“CUTIS!” the baby monkey called, flipping upside down and hanging by his tail. “I have the funniest idea ever!”
CUTIS lifted his head, ears perked. “Oh? Should I be worried?”
The baby monkey grinned mischievously. “Maybe a little.”
He dropped down with a soft thud and leaned close. “Let’s do a ‘Try not to laugh’ challenge. But we’ll make it extra funny with an upside-down surprise!”
CUTIS tilted his head, curious. “What kind of surprise?”
“You’ll see,” the baby monkey said, eyes sparkling. “We’ll surprise everyone—Cubis, Uncle Tu, and all our friends. No one will expect it!”
CUTIS’s tail wagged slowly as he considered the plan. He loved making others laugh, and if the baby monkey was involved, it was guaranteed to be entertaining.
“Alright,” CUTIS said with a playful bark. “Let’s do it.”
The two friends spent the morning brainstorming ideas. They sat under a shady tree, whispering and giggling as they came up with the silliest tricks they could imagine.
First, the baby monkey suggested funny faces.
“I’ll puff my cheeks like this,” he said, stretching his face into a ridiculous expression.
CUTIS tried to copy, but ended up sneezing instead, which made them both burst into laughter.
Next, they practiced silly walks. CUTIS waddled like a duck while the baby monkey tiptoed dramatically, pretending to be a sneaky jungle spy.
But the real highlight was the “upside-down surprise.”
The baby monkey showed CUTIS how he could hang from a branch and make goofy noises while dropping small leaves like confetti.
CUTIS’s job was to pretend nothing unusual was happening—until suddenly he would roll onto his back and wiggle his paws in the air, as if gravity had decided to take a holiday.
“This will be the funniest thing ever,” the baby monkey declared.
CUTIS barked in agreement.
By afternoon, word had spread that there would be a “Try not to laugh” gathering in the clearing. Curious friends gathered, forming a circle—Cubis sat eagerly at the front, while Uncle Tu watched with a knowing smile, clearly anticipating mischief.
The baby monkey stepped forward like a show host.
“Welcome everyone!” he announced dramatically. “Today’s challenge is simple: try not to laugh!”
CUTIS stood beside him, looking unusually serious, which only made the audience more curious.
“First round,” the baby monkey said, “funny faces!”
He contorted his face in every possible way—eyes crossed, tongue sticking out, ears wiggling. CUTIS followed with his own attempts, squinting and puffing his cheeks until he looked like a fluffy balloon.
Giggles rippled through the crowd.
Cubis covered his mouth, trying to stay strong. Uncle Tu chuckled softly but kept his composure.
“Second round,” the baby monkey announced, “silly walks!”
CUTIS strutted like a proud peacock, then suddenly pretended to slip on an imaginary banana peel, sliding across the grass in slow motion.
The baby monkey marched stiffly like a toy soldier before collapsing into a dramatic tumble.
Laughter grew louder, though some still held out bravely.
Then came the big moment.
The baby monkey whispered, “Upside-down surprise time.”
He scampered up a branch and hung upside down, swaying gently.
CUTIS walked around casually, as if nothing was happening.
Suddenly, leaves began to fall—one… two… then a shower of green confetti as the baby monkey shook the branch.
“What’s going on?” Cubis asked, trying not to smile.
CUTIS looked up with exaggerated confusion, then slowly rolled onto his back, paws waving in the air like he was trying to catch invisible butterflies.
The baby monkey made silly sound effects—“Boing! Swoosh! Plop!”—while swinging back and forth.
CUTIS started wiggling dramatically, pretending he couldn’t flip back over.
The audience erupted.
Cubis burst out laughing first, clutching his sides. Uncle Tu tried to stay calm but soon joined in, his deep laughter echoing warmly.
Friends doubled over, some wiping tears of laughter.
“Challenge failed!” the baby monkey declared triumphantly, dropping down with a playful bow.
CUTIS rolled upright and barked happily.
But the fun didn’t stop there.
“Bonus round!” the baby monkey shouted.
He and CUTIS performed a mini comedy show—CUTIS pretended to chase his own tail in slow motion, while the baby monkey narrated like a dramatic storyteller.
“And here we see the rare spinning CUTIS in his natural habitat…”
CUTIS spun faster and faster until he gently toppled over, sticking out his tongue playfully.
The crowd roared with laughter.
Next, they acted out a silly scene where CUTIS played a “very serious guard” and the baby monkey tried increasingly ridiculous disguises—wearing leaves as a hat, carrying a stick like a mustache, and sneaking past with exaggerated tiptoes.
Each attempt ended with CUTIS pretending to be fooled, then giving a big playful bark.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in soft shades of pink and gold, the laughter slowly settled into warm smiles.
Cubis approached them, still chuckling. “That was the funniest surprise I’ve seen in a long time.”
Uncle Tu nodded. “You two have a gift for spreading joy.”
The baby monkey beamed. “We just wanted everyone to have fun.”
CUTIS wagged his tail, eyes bright with happiness.
They all shared snacks—sweet fruit, crunchy nuts, and cool water—while talking about their favorite moments.
“I couldn’t stop laughing when CUTIS rolled over,” Cubis said.
“And the upside-down leaf shower!” someone added.
Uncle Tu smiled thoughtfully. “Laughter brings people together. Today reminded us not to take life too seriously.”
As evening fell, fireflies flickered like tiny lanterns.
The baby monkey lay on the grass, looking up at the stars. “That was perfect.”
CUTIS lay beside him, letting out a content sigh.
“You know,” the baby monkey said softly, “we should do more surprises like this.”
CUTIS barked gently, as if saying, “Of course.”
Nearby, friends chatted and laughed quietly, the echoes of the day’s joy lingering in the air.
Before heading home, Uncle Tu gathered everyone.
“Today was special,” he said. “Not because of tricks or jokes, but because you shared happiness freely.”
Cubis added, “Sometimes the best memories come from simple moments—laughing together, being silly, and enjoying each other’s company.”
The baby monkey nodded. “And hanging upside down helps too.”
Everyone laughed again.
CUTIS wagged his tail enthusiastically.
As the forest grew quiet and the moon rose high, CUTIS and the baby monkey walked back along the path, feeling proud of their funny adventure.
“Did you see Uncle Tu laughing?” the baby monkey said.
CUTIS barked softly, remembering the moment.
They paused under the banyan tree where the day had begun.
“Same time tomorrow?” the baby monkey asked with a grin.
CUTIS gave a playful bark, as if promising more fun to come.
Under the gentle glow of moonlight, they settled down to rest, hearts full of laughter and friendship.
And somewhere in the forest, carried on the soft night breeze, you could almost hear a whisper:
Try not to laugh… if you can.
