Cubis, the mischievous little monkey, thought he had the perfect plan. Dad had fallen asleep on the couch after a long day, and the door wasn’t fully latched. Cubis peeked around, eyes glinting with curiosity, and whispered to himself, “Now’s my chance!”
He tiptoed out, careful not to wake Dad, and slipped into the evening air. At first, the freedom felt thrilling. The streets were buzzing with sounds, and Cubis eagerly darted from one corner to another, marveling at everything he could see. He felt so grown-up, as if he didn’t need Dad’s watchful eye at all.
But the excitement didn’t last long. As he wandered farther, the familiar path back to Dad’s house vanished behind him. The streetlights flickered on, shadows stretched across the ground, and suddenly the world felt much bigger—and much scarier. Cubis clutched his little hands together and realized he was lost.
A loud barking dog startled him, sending him scrambling up a fence. His heart pounded as he looked around, searching for a safe way back. The once-adventurous monkey now felt small and helpless. The smell of food wafted from a nearby kitchen, making his stomach rumble, but he had no courage to approach strangers.
Meanwhile, back at home, Dad woke up and immediately noticed the silence. “Cubis?” he called out, searching every corner of the house. Panic set in when he saw the open door. Without wasting a second, Dad rushed outside, calling Cubis’s name into the night.
Cubis, sitting on a curb with tears welling in his eyes, finally heard the familiar voice. “Dad!” he squeaked. In moments, Dad scooped him up, holding him tightly. The relief on Cubis’s face was matched only by Dad’s.
That night, Cubis learned an important lesson: sneaking out might seem exciting, but it’s never safe without someone who cares. From then on, he promised himself—adventures are always better when Dad is by his side.
