Deep in the lush green jungle, where the trees stretched high and birds sang all day, lived two best friends — Pupu Monkey and Poki Monkey. They did everything together: swinging on vines, racing through banana groves, and playing hide-and-seek among the thick leaves.
One sunny morning, Pupu woke up early, eager to show Poki a secret mango tree he had discovered the day before. But Poki was nowhere to be found.
“Poki?” Pupu called, searching their favorite spots — the old tree stump, the big rock by the stream, even the high branch where they napped. But Poki didn’t answer.
Panic filled Pupu’s heart.
“Where could he be?” he whispered to himself, eyes wide with worry. He asked the parrots, the turtles, even the sleepy sloth — but no one had seen Poki.
Hours passed, and the jungle didn’t feel so cheerful anymore. The wind seemed quieter, the trees still. Pupu’s tail drooped as he sat alone by the mango tree, fearing the worst.
Then, just as the sun began to set and painted the sky orange and pink, a rustle came from the bushes.
“Pupu!” a familiar voice shouted.
“Poki!” Pupu leaped up with joy.
Out popped Poki, leaves in his fur and a sheepish grin on his face.
“Where have you been?” Pupu cried, nearly in tears.
“I got lost chasing a butterfly,” Poki admitted, scratching his head. “I didn’t realize how far I’d gone until I couldn’t find the way back.”
Pupu gave his friend a tight hug. “I was so worried! I thought something happened to you.”
“Sorry,” Poki said. “But I’m okay now.”
Together, they walked back home under the stars, Pupu’s heart finally calm again. From that day on, Poki promised never to wander too far without telling his best friend.
And Pupu learned that even in the wild jungle, the strongest bond was friendship — and the biggest relief came with a hug from someone you thought you’d lost.
