One sunny morning in the heart of the jungle, little Monkey Lyly woke up to chirping birds and rustling leaves. As usual, she expected to see her mother swinging through the trees or gathering fruit. But something felt wrong. Her mother, Mama Luma, was lying quietly under their favorite mango tree, not moving much. Lyly blinked, puzzled. “Mama?” she called softly, padding over to her.
Mama Luma opened her eyes slowly and gave a weak smile. “I’m just a little tired today, sweetheart,” she whispered.
Lyly tilted her head, confused. Mama was never tired! She was always the strongest, the fastest, and the happiest. Lyly didn’t understand what was happening. Her small heart filled with worry. She sat beside her mother, unsure of what to do.
Remembering what Mama often did for her when she didn’t feel well, Lyly sprang into action. She climbed the tallest banana tree and brought down a ripe bunch, peeling one and gently offering it to her mother. Then she fetched water from the nearby stream using a big leaf, carefully bringing it back without spilling too much.
As the day went on, Lyly stayed close. She hummed lullabies Mama used to sing and fanned her with large leaves to keep the bugs away. She even tried to make a soft bed of leaves and moss, just like Mama always did for her.
Other jungle animals watched quietly from a distance, touched by the little monkey’s love and care. Though she was young, Lyly showed more kindness and courage than many older creatures.
By evening, Mama Luma smiled a little brighter. “Thank you, my sweet Lyly,” she said, her voice still soft but full of love. “You’ve taken such good care of me.”
Lyly cuddled close, her confusion fading just a little. She didn’t fully understand sickness, but she knew that love—and a little banana and water—could make even the hardest days a bit better.
And in the heart of the jungle, under a sky turning golden, Lyly learned what it truly meant to care for someone.
