The house was unusually quiet that afternoon, and Monkey Lyly knew exactly why—her mother hadn’t returned home yet. Glancing nervously toward the door, Lyly suddenly remembered the muddy mess she had made earlier while playing outside. Her shoes sat in the corner, covered in dirt and grass stains, and she knew her mother would notice the moment she walked in.
Determined to fix the problem on her own, Lyly picked up the dirty shoes and carried them carefully to the wash area. Her movements were quick and slightly clumsy, driven by a mix of worry and responsibility. She turned on the water, jumped back at the sudden splash, then bravely leaned forward again, ready to begin.
Lyly scrubbed the shoes with all her strength, rubbing them together and splashing water everywhere. Soap bubbles formed instantly, floating onto the floor and sticking to her hands. Though the water soaked her arms and made the floor slippery, Lyly didn’t stop. Every few seconds, she glanced toward the door, listening for footsteps, her heart beating a little faster each time.
The dirt slowly began to fade, and Lyly’s serious expression softened into a proud smile. She rinsed the shoes again and again, making sure no muddy marks were left behind. When one shoe slipped from her hands and fell into the basin, Lyly gasped, then laughed quietly at herself before picking it back up.
After finishing, she lined the shoes neatly to dry, standing back to admire her work. They weren’t perfect, but they were much cleaner than before. Lyly wiped her wet hands on her shirt and took a deep breath, feeling relieved.
Just then, the sound of the door opening made Lyly jump. Her mother had returned. Lyly hurried over, pointing proudly at the clean shoes, her eyes shining with excitement and a little nervousness. Instead of scolding, her mother smiled warmly and hugged her tight.
That small moment meant everything to Lyly. By washing her dirty shoes on her own, she showed responsibility, honesty, and love. Sometimes, the sweetest acts are done in a hurry—but come straight from the heart. 🐒👟💧
