It was barely 7 a.m. when a frantic shout echoed through the hallway.
“Mom… help me! Monkey Lyly pooped while sleeping and now she’s stuck in the bathroom!”
Mom blinked, still groggy from sleep. She rubbed her eyes, not quite sure if she’d heard correctly. “What?”
“Lyly! She… she pooped in her sleep and then ran into the bathroom and shut the door behind her! Now she can’t get out!” cried Mia, her 9-year-old daughter, pacing outside the bathroom.
Monkey Lyly was Mia’s beloved pet — a tiny capuchin with a big personality. She wore little diapers most days, but last night, in all the excitement of movie night and popcorn, Mia had forgotten to change her. Apparently, that had led to disaster.
Mom rushed down the hall to find the bathroom door closed, with tiny scratching sounds coming from the other side.
“She locked herself in?” Mom asked in disbelief.
“I think she just pulled it shut. But she can’t figure out how to open it again.”
Mom sighed, trying not to laugh. “Okay, stand back.” She gently pushed the door open, and there was Lyly—wide-eyed, slightly smelly, and looking very confused. Toilet paper trailed behind her like a ribbon, and she was holding Mia’s toothbrush like a prize.
“Oh Lyly,” Mom said, picking her up carefully. “What a morning.”
As she cleaned the little monkey and aired out the bathroom, Mia looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Mom. I should’ve changed her diaper before bed.”
Mom smiled, hugging her daughter with one arm while cradling Lyly in the other. “Accidents happen, sweetie. But maybe tonight, we make diaper duty part of the bedtime checklist?”
Mia nodded, relieved. Lyly gave a little chirp, seemingly content again.
With a little chaos, a lot of love, and the lingering scent of monkey mischief, the day had begun.
