The sun had just risen when little Cubis, the mischievous baby monkey with a big imagination, declared himself “Master Chef Cubis.” He tied a small towel around his neck like an apron, grabbed a tiny basket, and announced proudly, “I’m going to the market to buy spices for dinner!”
Mom laughed, shaking her head. “Spices? Do you even know what those are?”
But Cubis was determined. Off he marched toward the village market, basket swinging by his side. The vendors were already setting up, and the air was filled with the scent of fresh herbs, garlic, peppers, and sweet fruit.
“Hello!” Cubis said confidently, standing on tiptoes at the first stall. “Do you have… um… master chef spices?”
The vendor chuckled and handed him some cinnamon sticks. Cubis sniffed them, wrinkled his nose, and tucked them into his basket. At the next stall, he spotted bright red chili peppers. Thinking they were candy, he grabbed a handful. The stall owner grinned. “Careful, little chef, those are very hot!” Cubis nodded seriously—hot meant perfect for cooking, right?
Soon his basket was overflowing: ginger roots, cloves, peppercorns, and even a few sprigs of mint. Every vendor played along, delighted by the little monkey’s determination.
When he returned home, Cubis laid out his treasures proudly on the kitchen table. “Dinner will be amazing!” he announced. But as soon as Mom took one look, she burst into laughter. “Cubis, you bought enough spices for a whole restaurant!”
Still, she decided to let him help. Together they cooked a simple stew, adding just a tiny pinch of Cubis’s spices. When it was finally ready, Cubis sat at the table with a chef’s grin and declared, “Delicious!”
Mom agreed, hugging him close. “You really are my Master Chef.”
That evening, the kitchen smelled rich and warm, and Cubis learned an important lesson: sometimes a little spice—and a lot of love—makes dinner perfect.
