It was a sunny afternoon in the small village, and everything seemed perfectly calm. The chickens clucked lazily in the yard, the cows grazed under the mango trees, and the air was filled with the warm scent of fresh grass. Cutis, the kind-hearted farmer, was sitting on the front steps of his wooden house, peeling a fresh mango to share with his little companion—an orphaned baby monkey he had been caring for over the last few months.
The baby monkey, who Cutis had lovingly named “Lulu,” was usually a bundle of energy. She would leap from the porch railing to Cutis’s shoulder in one smooth jump, tug at his hat, then scamper away in a cheeky display of joy. But today, something felt… off.
Instead of her usual playful squeaks, Lulu sat quietly in a corner, her tiny arms wrapped around her knees. Her big brown eyes, which usually sparkled with mischief, looked heavy and tired. Cutis frowned.
“Lulu?” he called softly, holding out a piece of mango. Normally, she’d rush over before he even finished peeling it. But now, she just glanced at him weakly and turned her head away.
Cutis’s heart sank. “Oh no… what’s wrong with you, little one?”
He walked over and scooped her up gently. She didn’t resist, but her small body felt warm—too warm. Her breathing was slightly faster than usual, and her tail hung limp instead of curling around his arm like it always did.
Cutis wasn’t a vet, but years of caring for animals had given him instincts. Something was wrong, and it wasn’t just because Lulu was tired.
The Worry Sets In
Cutis quickly fetched a soft blanket and wrapped Lulu snugly. He remembered that last night there had been a sudden rainstorm, and Lulu had stayed outside playing in the drizzle before he brought her in. Maybe she had caught a chill.
As he cradled her, Cutis whispered, “Don’t you worry, little one. I’ll figure out what’s wrong.” But inside, his chest felt tight. Lulu wasn’t just a baby monkey to him—she was family.
He placed her on his bed and rushed to the kitchen to make a warm herbal drink using lemongrass, honey, and a pinch of ginger—something his grandmother used to prepare for sick animals and children alike. The smell filled the air, and he hoped it would comfort Lulu.
When he returned, Lulu’s eyes were half-closed. She weakly accepted a sip from the small spoon but didn’t drink much.
Seeking Help
Cutis decided it was best to get advice from Old Man Vannak, the village’s unofficial animal healer. Vannak had a small hut by the river where he treated everything from injured chickens to stray dogs.
Cutis wrapped Lulu carefully in the blanket and placed her inside a woven basket for the journey. He hopped on his old motorbike, driving slowly to avoid jostling her. Along the way, a few neighbors waved and called out, “Where are you going, Cutis?” He only shook his head and replied, “To Vannak’s—Lulu’s not feeling well.”
When he arrived, Vannak was sitting outside repairing a fishing net. His eyes immediately softened when he saw the tiny bundle in Cutis’s arms.
“Ah… little Lulu,” Vannak murmured, gently feeling her forehead and listening to her breathing. “She’s running a fever. Could be a cold, maybe even a small infection. But don’t worry—we caught it early.”
Vannak prepared a natural remedy from boiled guava leaves, turmeric, and a dash of salt. He instructed Cutis to keep Lulu warm, hydrated, and comfortable, and to monitor her through the night.
The Long Night
Back at home, Cutis set up a little bed for Lulu near the fireplace so the warmth would keep her comfortable. He stayed by her side, feeding her tiny sips of water and stroking her fur.
Every so often, she would open her eyes and look at him as if to say, “Thank you for being here.” He’d smile and whisper, “I’m not going anywhere.”
The hours passed slowly. Outside, crickets chirped and the moon rose high, but Cutis didn’t sleep. He watched her breathing, afraid that if he closed his eyes, he might miss something important.
By midnight, Lulu’s fever seemed to be going down. She even managed a faint little squeak and curled her tail weakly around his hand. That small gesture nearly brought tears to his eyes.
A Glimmer of Hope
At sunrise, Cutis made a fresh batch of Vannak’s remedy and offered it to Lulu. This time, she drank a little more. He knew she wasn’t fully recovered yet, but the worst seemed to be over.
Later in the morning, the neighbor’s children came by to check on Lulu. They brought ripe bananas, her favorite treat, but Cutis explained she needed soft, warm food for now. The kids sat quietly, patting her gently, their voices low and soothing.
By afternoon, Lulu sat up for the first time since yesterday. Her eyes were brighter, and she made a soft chattering noise—a sure sign she was feeling better.
Cutis grinned. “There’s my little troublemaker.”
Back to Normal—Almost
Over the next two days, Lulu regained her strength. She started climbing the porch railings again, though Cutis insisted she take it easy. He even built her a small shelter with a roof so she could stay dry if it rained again.
The bond between them grew even stronger after this scare. Cutis realized how deeply he cared for the little monkey, not just as an animal he rescued, but as a true member of his family.
Sometimes, as Lulu sat on his shoulder watching the sunset, Cutis would think about how different life would be without her. The farm would still run, the cows would still graze, but there would be an emptiness where her playful spirit belonged.
A Lesson in Love
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Cutis sat with Lulu in his lap. She was nibbling on a piece of mango, her favorite fruit.
“You scared me, you know that?” he said softly. Lulu tilted her head as if listening.
He continued, “But I guess that’s what love does—it makes you scared when someone you care about isn’t okay. And you, little one, have my whole heart.”
Lulu chirped and wrapped her tail tightly around his arm. It was her way of saying, “I love you too.”
From that day on, Cutis became extra careful, always making sure Lulu was warm during cool nights, never left out in the rain, and always had fresh, healthy food. Lulu, for her part, seemed to understand—she stayed close to him, always ready to hop into his arms when he called.
Epilogue
The village still talks about that week when Lulu got sick and Cutis stayed up night after night caring for her. For many, it became a story about kindness, devotion, and the unspoken love between a man and the animal he saved.
And for Cutis, it was a reminder that even the smallest life can hold the biggest place in your heart.
Because when you see someone you love—no matter if they have two legs or four—looking unwell, your world suddenly becomes very simple: nothing else matters except making them better.
And as long as Lulu was by his side, Cutis knew he’d always be ready to protect her from anything life might throw their way.
