Every day in the little forest home, Lyly the baby monkey watched her mother carefully. She was growing fast, and Mom decided it was time to teach her the important “customs” of good behavior—how to eat properly, how to greet politely, and even how to share food with others.
That morning, Mom sat with Lyly and showed her how to press her little hands together and bow her head slightly, a sign of respect in their family tradition. “This is how we greet,” Mom explained. Lyly’s bright eyes sparkled, and she copied every move perfectly. “Good girl!” Mom praised, and Lyly clapped her tiny hands happily.
Next came the lesson of eating politely. Mom placed a few pieces of fruit in front of Lyly. Instead of grabbing and stuffing them all in her mouth, Lyly waited patiently, then took one piece at a time, chewing slowly just as she had been shown. Mom smiled with pride—her daughter was learning so quickly!
But then… the twist came.
After a few minutes of behaving like the perfect student, Lyly’s cheeky side slipped out. With a sly grin, she suddenly stuffed three pieces of fruit into her mouth at once, cheeks bulging like little balloons. Mom gasped in surprise, while Lyly shook her head side to side, puffed up and giggling through her full mouth.
As if that weren’t enough, Lyly then bowed dramatically—just like she had been taught—only this time she nearly toppled over from the weight of all the fruit she was holding! Mom couldn’t help but laugh, even as she tried to stay serious.
Though she had her silly moments, Lyly had shown that she was truly learning. She understood the lessons but added her own playful twist, turning every teaching moment into laughter.
In the end, Mom hugged her little one tightly. “You’re smart, Lyly,” she said warmly. “Smart and a little bit naughty too.”
And that’s how lessons in customs turned into one more memory of love and fun between mother and daughter.
