It was one of those scorching summer afternoons when the sun showed no mercy. Monkey Lyly, usually full of energy and always ready for mischief, was noticeably sluggish. Her fur stuck to her little body, and every step she took seemed like an effort. The heat had reached its peak, and Lyly, like anyone else, was desperately trying to stay cool.
As her mother prepared lunch, Lyly sat near the water bowl, sipping slowly at first. But with every gulp, she seemed more and more attached to it. The heat was unbearable, and her instincts told her that water was the only relief she could find. Sip after sip, she drank until her small belly began to bulge, round and tight.
When her mother finally called her for lunch — a nutritious plate of steamed vegetables and sweet potatoes — Lyly looked at the food and frowned. She poked at it with her tiny fingers but couldn’t bring herself to take a bite. Her tummy was already too full. The cool water she had gulped down earlier had taken up all the room inside.
Her mother, noticing Lyly’s lack of appetite, grew concerned. “Lyly, are you feeling sick?” she asked gently.
Lyly shook her head, then pointed at her belly and gave a little hiccup. Her mother understood immediately and gave a soft chuckle. “Oh Lyly, you silly girl! You drank too much water, didn’t you?”
The little monkey nodded, her eyes wide with guilt and discomfort. She hadn’t meant to ruin lunch, but the heat had gotten the better of her.
Her mother wiped her face lovingly and said, “Next time, drink slowly and leave room for real food. Water helps, but you still need your lunch to stay strong.”
Lyly learned a valuable lesson that day — hydration is important, but so is balance. And from then on, she never skipped lunch again, no matter how hot it got.
