The rain had just stopped, leaving the whole yard sparkling with tiny droplets that clung to the leaves and grass like little diamonds. Lala, the curious and energetic baby monkey, pressed her face against the window, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw the damp but fresh outdoors. Cooking outside after the rain was her absolute favorite—the smell of wet earth, the cool breeze, and the fun of watching the smoke swirl into the open air. Today, she wanted nothing more than for Mom to cook outside.
But Mom was busy tidying the kitchen, clearly planning to make lunch indoors. Lala couldn’t let that happen. With determination in her tiny heart, she hopped over to Mom and gently tugged her shirt. She pointed to the door, squeaked excitedly, and even tried mimicking the sizzling sound of food cooking over open fire. Mom laughed, shaking her head. “Not today, Lala. The ground is still wet.”
Lala refused to give up. She quickly grabbed her small straw hat and plopped it on her head to show she was fully prepared. Then she found Mom’s outdoor cooking basket, dragging it across the floor with all her strength. She looked up with adorable pleading eyes, tilting her head in the sweetest way she knew. Still, Mom wasn’t convinced—she gently lifted the basket away.
Next, Lala rushed outside by herself. She inspected the ground, brushing leaves aside, patting the soil, and even fanning it with a big banana leaf to “dry” it. When she believed she had done a good enough job, she ran back in and proudly pulled Mom to the yard. Mom couldn’t help but laugh again at Lala’s determination.
Finally, Lala sat on the steps, puffing her cheeks in dramatic disappointment. That was when a tiny ray of sun peeked through the clouds. Mom looked at her, then at the yard… and finally sighed with a smile. “Alright, Lala. Let’s cook outside.”
Lala burst with joy, hopping in circles as Mom set up the little outdoor stove. The smell of food soon mixed with the cool, post-rain air—exactly the moment Lala had hoped for.
And she knew: sometimes a little determination—and a lot of cuteness—could change everything.
