The morning sun rose slowly above the forest, spilling warm light over the treetops. Birds flitted about, singing cheerfully, while the air carried the sweet smell of ripe fruit. But deep inside the jungle, a troop of monkeys stirred with rumbling bellies and eager eyes. They were the hungry monkeys, and today they were determined to find food.
The leader of the troop was a wise old monkey named Bako. His fur was streaked with silver, and his sharp eyes missed nothing. He climbed to the highest branch of a tall tree and looked around. Behind him, a group of little monkeys chattered noisily, their stomachs growling louder than their voices.
“Quiet, little ones,” Bako said gently. “We’ll find food. But we must work together.”
The monkeys nodded, though some were too hungry to keep still. Among them was Lumo, a young and energetic monkey, always curious and quick. He clutched his stomach dramatically. “Bako, I’m starving! I could eat ten bananas right now!”
The older monkeys laughed. “Ten bananas? You’d fall asleep before you finished half of them!” teased Tima, one of Lumo’s cousins.
But Bako raised his hand. “Don’t worry. If we search carefully, there will be enough for everyone.”
The troop set off through the forest, swinging from branch to branch with graceful speed. The little ones raced ahead, their eyes scanning for bananas, mangoes, or papayas. Every leaf and vine seemed to whisper of food, but when they searched one tree after another, the branches were bare.
“This tree is empty!” shouted Lumo from above.
“Not a single mango here!” Tima added, shaking her head.
The monkeys groaned in disappointment, their hunger growing. The youngest ones whimpered softly, clutching their mothers. But Bako was not discouraged. “The forest always provides,” he reminded them. “We must go deeper.”
And so, the hungry monkeys traveled further. Along the way, they encountered other animals. A pair of parrots squawked loudly from a branch. “Looking for fruit? You’re late! The bats ate most of it last night!” they teased before flying away.
The monkeys grumbled, but Bako simply said, “We’ll find what they missed.”
Soon, they reached a tall fig tree. The sight made their eyes light up. Ripe figs dangled from the branches, juicy and inviting. “Food!” cried Lumo, rushing ahead. He grabbed one fig and stuffed it into his mouth, juice dripping down his chin.
The troop climbed quickly, each monkey eager to taste the sweet fruit. The air filled with happy chatter and the sound of figs being bitten into. The youngest monkeys squealed with delight as their mothers fed them soft pieces. For a moment, the hunger faded, replaced with joy.
But the figs did not last long. The tree had only a few ripe ones, and soon the branches were bare again. The monkeys sat together, their bellies a little fuller, but still not satisfied.
“We need more,” whispered Tima.
Bako nodded. “Yes, but we must be clever. Not every fruit in the forest is safe. Some are sour, some are bitter, and some can make you sick.”
Lumo frowned. “How do we know which ones are good?”
“By watching, by smelling, and by remembering,” Bako said wisely. “The forest teaches us, if we pay attention.”
With renewed determination, the troop pressed on. The sun rose higher, and the heat grew stronger. The monkeys grew tired, but the thought of food kept them moving. Suddenly, Lumo spotted something bright in the distance. “Bananas!” he shouted, his eyes sparkling.
Indeed, a banana tree stood tall, its bunches hanging heavy and golden. The troop cheered, rushing toward it. The mothers lifted their little ones closer so they could reach, while the older monkeys scrambled to gather as many bananas as they could carry.
The feast was glorious. They peeled bananas with their nimble fingers, devouring them happily. Sweetness filled their mouths, and their stomachs finally felt satisfied. Even Bako, who usually ate slowly, enjoyed a full handful.
But just as the monkeys were laughing and playing with their food, a loud rustle shook the bushes. Out stepped a wild boar, his tusks gleaming and his eyes fierce. He snorted angrily. “Those bananas are mine!”
The troop froze, bananas still in their hands. Fear flashed across their faces. The boar stomped closer, his hunger just as strong as theirs.
For a moment, it seemed there would be a fight. But Bako quickly leapt forward, raising his voice. “Peace, brother boar! There is enough here for us all.”
The boar narrowed his eyes. “Enough? You’ve taken nearly everything!”
Bako glanced back at his troop. “Leave some,” he instructed firmly. “The forest is for all who live here.”
Though reluctant, the monkeys obeyed, dropping a portion of bananas on the ground. The boar sniffed at them, then began to eat. His anger faded as his belly filled. “Hmph. Maybe you’re right, old monkey. There is enough for everyone.”
Satisfied, the boar wandered off, leaving the monkeys safe. Lumo whispered, “Bako, why did we share? We were so hungry too.”
Bako placed a gentle hand on Lumo’s shoulder. “Because the forest is not only ours. When we share, we keep peace. And peace keeps us safe.”
The young monkey thought about this as he licked banana from his fingers. Slowly, he began to understand.
By afternoon, the monkeys were finally full. Their hunger had been replaced with contentment. They rested on the branches, grooming each other, playing, and telling stories. The little ones climbed onto their mothers’ backs, their eyes heavy with sleep.
Lumo leaned against Bako, his belly round and happy. “We were the hungry monkeys this morning,” he said with a grin. “But now we are the full monkeys.”
Bako chuckled, his wise eyes twinkling. “Yes, little one. Hunger teaches us patience, and food teaches us gratitude. Today, you learned both.”
The forest quieted as the sun dipped lower, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink. The troop curled up together, safe in the trees. Their hunger was gone, replaced by warmth, love, and the knowledge that tomorrow would bring new adventures—and new food to find.
As Lumo drifted into sleep, he whispered softly, “Thank you, forest, for feeding us.”
And with that, the hungry monkeys rested, their dreams as sweet as the bananas they had shared.
