The jungle was usually full of life—chirping birds, rustling leaves, and monkeys playing from tree to tree. But one afternoon, as dark clouds gathered in the sky, the cheerful sounds slowly faded. Monkey Lyly, a curious and playful little monkey, was hopping between branches with her friends when a loud crack of thunder suddenly echoed through the forest.
Startled, Lyly froze. A streak of lightning lit up the sky, followed by another rumbling boom. Her eyes widened with fear. Though she tried to stay brave in front of her friends, her tiny hands started trembling. The wind picked up, shaking the trees and scattering leaves like butterflies in a storm.
Then, with another flash of lightning, Lyly could no longer pretend to be brave. Her heart raced, and without a second thought, she turned and raced back through the trees. Her little feet leapt from branch to branch with urgency, ignoring the calls of her friends behind her.
She knew exactly where she needed to go—back to the safety of her mother’s arms.
When she finally reached the big banyan tree where her family lived, her mother was already waiting with worried eyes. Lyly jumped into her arms and wrapped her tiny arms around her mother tightly. Her small body trembled as the thunder rumbled again, but her mother gently stroked her back and whispered softly, “It’s okay, Lyly. I’m here.”
Snuggled close to her mother’s warm chest, Lyly slowly began to feel safe. Even though the storm continued to rage outside, the fear started to melt away. There was no safer place than in her mother’s arms.
As the rain began to fall gently on the leaves above them, Lyly looked up and whispered, “I love you, Mama.”
Her mother smiled and hugged her tighter. “And I love you more, my brave little monkey.”
