Monkey Lyly was a cheerful little monkey who lived in the treetops of Banana Grove. Like many young monkeys, she loved sweet treats—especially crispy banana chips and sticky honey sticks sold at the Jungle Market. One sunny afternoon, Lyly tugged at her tiny banana-leaf pouch, counting her shiny pebbles. She had saved just enough to buy her favorite snack.
As she skipped down the vine trail to the market, her excitement grew. The smell of roasted nuts and sugary fruits filled the air. Lyly finally reached the snack stand and stretched out her paw to pay, but just then, her mother swooped in.
“Lyly, no!” Mama Monkey said firmly, pulling her back.
“But I saved my pebbles!” Lyly protested. “I want banana chips!”
“I know, sweetheart,” Mama said gently, “but you’ve already had too many snacks this week.”
Lyly frowned. “Why does it matter? They taste so good!”
Mama Monkey knelt beside her. “Snacks aren’t bad once in a while, but too many can hurt your tummy. And remember how you had a sugar crash last time? You couldn’t even swing across the vines without falling.”
Lyly remembered. That crash had made her dizzy, tired, and grumpy all day.
“And there’s something else,” Mama continued. “Those snacks aren’t made like they used to be. Some have too many sweet syrups and not enough real fruit. They don’t help you grow strong.”
“But all the other monkeys eat them!” Lyly pouted.
“Other monkeys might not know better,” Mama said, giving Lyly a hug. “Let’s go home and make our own banana chips—fresh and crunchy, with just a hint of honey.”
Lyly’s eyes lit up. “Can I add cinnamon?”
“Absolutely,” Mama smiled.
And from that day on, Lyly didn’t struggle to buy snacks—she learned to make her own, with her mother’s love and a dash of jungle wisdom.
