It was supposed to be a fun little adventure. Monkey Lyly and her mother had wandered near an old, abandoned house during their afternoon walk. The sun was shining, the breeze was gentle, and Lyly was happily skipping beside her mom, picking flowers and humming her favorite tune.
Curious by nature, Lyly stopped at the old wooden gate and peeked inside. “Mama, look! That house looks like a castle!” she giggled. Her mother smiled gently, letting her explore from a safe distance. But as Lyly tiptoed a little further onto the creaky porch, something unexpected happened.
From the shadowy doorway of the house, a low growl echoed out. Lyly froze.
Then, out of the dark, a large dog appeared.
He wasn’t barking or charging—just standing there, staring straight at Lyly. He was scruffy, with patches of fur missing, and his eyes looked wary and tired. But to little Lyly, he looked huge and scary.
Her heart raced. In a flash, she turned and ran straight into her mother’s arms. “Mama!” she cried, clinging to her tightly, her tiny arms wrapped around her neck. Her mother knelt down, hugging her back just as firmly. “It’s okay, Lyly. I’m here. You’re safe,” she whispered softly.
Lyly buried her face in her mom’s shoulder, trembling slightly. Her mother gently stroked her back, never taking her eyes off the dog. After a few moments, the dog let out a huff and quietly turned away, disappearing back into the old house without a sound.
They waited until the air felt calm again, then slowly walked away from the porch hand in hand. Lyly glanced back one last time, still holding tight to her mom’s fingers.
That day, Lyly learned that even the bravest little monkeys need a safe hug sometimes—and that no matter how strong or grown-up she tries to be, Mom’s arms will always be the safest place in the world. 🐒❤️🐾
