Little Monkey Lyly had a routine she cherished more than anything: every night, just before bedtime, her mother would cradle her in her arms, humming softly while rocking her to sleep. It was the warm comfort of that nightly hug that gave Lyly the sweetest dreams. But tonight was different.
Mama monkey had been busy—too busy preparing food and tidying up the treehouse after a long day. She hadn’t realized how quickly bedtime had arrived, and by the time she went to check on Lyly, the little monkey was nowhere to be found in her bed.
To her surprise, Mama found Lyly curled up in front of the door, fast asleep. Her tiny arms were wrapped around herself, as if trying to recreate the feeling of being hugged. The look on her peaceful little face tugged at Mama’s heart. It was clear that Lyly had waited at the door, hoping Mama would come and carry her off to bed like she always did. But the tired little one eventually gave in to sleep, right there on the cool wooden floor.
Despite the unplanned change, Lyly looked comfortable, her soft breathing steady and calm. She had found a way to sleep, even without the warmth of her mother’s arms—but deep inside, Mama knew it wasn’t the same.
Feeling a pang of guilt and love, Mama gently picked Lyly up and carried her to bed, wrapping her in a cozy blanket and planting a soft kiss on her forehead. Lyly stirred only slightly, nuzzling into her mother’s chest with a sigh of relief.
From that night forward, no matter how busy the day had been, Mama never forgot the importance of those bedtime hugs. For Lyly, they weren’t just part of her routine—they were a symbol of love, safety, and connection. And for Mama, seeing Lyly sleep with a smil
