Monkey Lyly was a clever little monkey with a big personality and an even bigger dislike for vegetables. Every day at lunch, her mother would place a colorful plate in front of her—filled with carrots, broccoli, spinach, and peas.
“But Mama,” Lyly pouted one afternoon, staring at the green pile on her plate, “I don’t like vegetables! Can’t I just drink milk instead?”
Her mother looked at her lovingly but firmly. “Lyly, milk is good for you, but it doesn’t have everything your little monkey body needs. Vegetables help you grow strong, give you energy, and keep your tail swinging high!”
Lyly crossed her arms. “But milk is tasty and smooth. And it’s white like clouds! I’ll drink two cups if I don’t have to eat the yucky green stuff.”
Mama Monkey knelt beside her and smiled. “What if I told you that vegetables can be just as fun as milk, if you give them a chance?”
Lyly looked doubtful. “Fun?”
Mama reached behind her and pulled out a surprise—a plate shaped like a jungle, with the broccoli as trees, the carrots as jungle logs, and the peas rolling like playful bugs. She even gave the spinach leaves to Lyly’s toy monkey to hold like a cape.
Lyly giggled despite herself. “Okay… maybe just one bite.”
She munched a carrot log. Crunch! “Mmm, sweet.”
Then a broccoli tree. “Hey, this tastes like a tiny forest!”
Soon, Lyly had eaten almost everything. Mama handed her a small glass of milk with a smile. “You still get your milk, but now your tummy is full of all the good things you need!”
Lyly licked her lips. “I guess vegetables aren’t so bad… when they’re part of an adventure!”
From that day on, Monkey Lyly didn’t beg for just milk anymore. She still loved it, but she also learned that vegetables weren’t enemies—they were tasty little heroes in disguise!
