It was a quiet afternoon, and Mom was feeling under the weather—her body weak, her head pounding. She had asked Monkey Lyly to stay inside and play quietly so she could rest a little. Lyly nodded sweetly, pretending to agree. But just as Mom lay down, Lyly’s curiosity got the best of her.
The door hadn’t fully latched, and before anyone could notice, Lyly had slipped outside. She didn’t go far—just a few steps down the path, chasing a butterfly or perhaps following the sound of a neighbor’s bicycle. But for someone so small, the world outside was big and unpredictable.
Back in the house, Mom woke up with a jolt, sensing something wasn’t right. The silence was too deep. She called out, “Lyly?” No answer. She looked around the room—empty. Her heart started racing. Even in her sick and feverish state, she pulled herself up and stumbled out the door.
With her eyes scanning every corner of the yard, Mom’s worry grew heavier with each step. Just as panic started to set in, she spotted a little figure sitting under a bush—Monkey Lyly, wide-eyed and scared, clutching her tail tightly. The look of guilt on her face was unmistakable.
As soon as Lyly saw her mom, she ran over and wrapped her tiny arms around her. “Mommy…” she whimpered, ashamed of what she’d done. She hadn’t meant to cause trouble—she just didn’t realize how much it would scare her mom, especially when she was sick.
Mom, though tired and aching, gently hugged Lyly close. “You must never wander off alone again,” she said softly. Lyly nodded, tears in her eyes.
That evening, Lyly stayed beside her mom the entire time, quietly keeping her company. She even brought a wet towel for Mom’s forehead. From that day on, Lyly understood: staying close to those who love you is far more important than chasing butterflies.
