The morning sun had just started to creep over the rice fields, painting everything in gold. CUTIS, a lively little boy with bright eyes and a mischievous grin, was already wide awake. Curled up next to him on the bed was his constant companion — a baby monkey named Lulu. Lulu wasn’t just any monkey; she was a bundle of curiosity and trouble wrapped in soft brown fur and an oversized personality.
While Dad was still snoring softly in the other room, CUTIS whispered to Lulu,
“Today, we’re going fishing. But not at the river. I know a secret place.”
Lulu’s ears perked up. She loved the river, but a “secret place” sounded even better. CUTIS grabbed his small bamboo fishing rod, a tin can filled with wiggling worms, and stuffed a couple of bananas in his backpack — for Lulu, of course. He tiptoed past Dad’s room, holding Lulu’s tiny paw so she wouldn’t scamper off and wake anyone.
The “special place” wasn’t far — just past the big mango tree and through a patch of tall grass that swayed like green waves. CUTIS had discovered it a few weeks ago while exploring. It was an old, forgotten pond, half-hidden by bamboo and wildflowers, with water so clear he could see fish darting between lily pads. To him, it was magical.
They arrived, and CUTIS’s heart raced with excitement. “See? I told you!” he said proudly, showing Lulu the pond. Lulu leaned forward, her eyes wide. She reached out a paw and touched the water, then quickly pulled back, shaking her hand with a funny expression.
CUTIS laughed. “You’ll get used to it. Now, watch how I do this.”
He baited the hook with a fat worm and tossed the line into the pond. The float bobbed gently. Lulu sat beside him, tail curling around her legs, watching every move.
Minutes passed peacefully. A gentle breeze rustled the bamboo, birds called from the trees, and the smell of wet earth filled the air. CUTIS felt like the world was theirs alone. Then — the float dipped.
CUTIS yanked the rod, and out came a slippery, silver fish, wriggling wildly. Lulu squeaked in excitement, hopping up and down. “See? We’re a great team!” CUTIS said, holding up the fish for her to inspect. Lulu leaned in too close and got flicked in the face by the fish’s tail. She gave an offended “eep” and scrambled onto CUTIS’s shoulder.
They caught two more fish, and CUTIS decided to let Lulu try. He handed her the rod. Lulu gripped it awkwardly, tilting her head. She tossed the line — straight into the grass behind them. CUTIS laughed so hard he almost fell over.
After a few tries, Lulu managed to get the bait in the water. To their surprise, the float sank almost instantly. Lulu squealed, tugging hard, but the fish on the other end was strong. CUTIS jumped in to help, and together they pulled out a fish bigger than anything CUTIS had ever caught.
“We’re legends!” CUTIS declared. Lulu puffed her chest proudly.
But their celebration didn’t last long. The pond suddenly seemed… different. CUTIS noticed ripples — big ones — in the far corner. Then another, closer. He froze. Lulu clung to his arm. Out of the water rose the unmistakable head of a massive snake, its scales glistening in the sun.
CUTIS’s heart slammed in his chest. “Oh no…”
He knew this pond was special, but he hadn’t realized it might also be dangerous. He remembered hearing Dad say something about a big python living near an old fishing hole. This had to be it.
“Lulu, time to go!” CUTIS whispered urgently.
They grabbed the fish and CUTIS’s rod, but the snake slid closer, its tongue flicking in and out. CUTIS tried to stay calm, moving backward slowly, pulling Lulu along. But Lulu, thinking it was a game, chattered loudly, waving her arms.
The snake’s head lifted higher.
CUTIS dropped everything and ran. Lulu clung to him like a backpack, eyes wide and tail wrapped around his neck. They tore through the tall grass, heart pounding, until they burst out near the mango tree — and straight into Dad.
Dad had woken up, found the fishing gear missing, and followed their trail. Seeing CUTIS’s panicked face and the way Lulu’s fur was puffed, Dad grabbed them both.
“What happened?” Dad demanded. CUTIS blurted out the whole story, from the secret pond to the huge snake. Dad’s face went pale.
“You went there?!” he shouted, his voice trembling. “That place is dangerous! I told you never to go past the mango tree!”
CUTIS stared at the ground, guilt settling in. Lulu, sensing trouble, tucked her head against CUTIS’s shoulder.
Dad knelt down, gripping CUTIS by the shoulders. “You scared me so much, son. I thought… I thought I might lose you.” His voice cracked. CUTIS had never seen Dad like this — eyes wet, hands shaking.
“I’m sorry, Dad,” CUTIS said quietly. “I didn’t know.”
Dad pulled him into a tight hug. “Promise me you’ll never go there again. Please. I’m begging you.”
CUTIS nodded, his throat tight. Lulu reached out and patted Dad’s cheek, as if to say she was sorry too.
Back at home, Dad made them both sit down while he fried up the fish they’d managed to keep. As the smell filled the kitchen, CUTIS kept glancing at Dad, feeling a heavy mix of shame and gratitude.
They ate together in silence for a while, until Dad sighed. “You know, CUTIS, it’s not that I don’t want you to explore or have adventures. I just want you to be safe. Some places aren’t worth the risk.”
CUTIS nodded. “I get it now.”
Lulu squeaked in agreement, though CUTIS suspected she was more focused on stealing a piece of fried fish from his plate.
That night, as CUTIS lay in bed with Lulu curled up beside him, he thought about the pond. It was still magical, but now it also felt like a warning. Adventures were exciting, but they were better when shared with someone who could keep you safe.
And maybe, just maybe, Dad’s rules weren’t there to spoil the fun — they were there to make sure there’d be plenty more adventures in the future.
Lulu yawned and draped her tail over CUTIS’s arm. He smiled and whispered, “Next time, we’ll fish somewhere Dad likes.”
From the other room, Dad called, “I heard that!” and CUTIS couldn’t help but laugh.
The secret pond would remain just that — a secret. But the memory of that day, and the look on Dad’s face, would stay with CUTIS forever.
