Monkey Lyly was usually a sweet little girl, full of energy and curiosity. But sometimes, her playful spirit got the better of her. That morning, Mother had given her a simple rule: “Lyly, don’t climb onto the high shelf. It’s dangerous, and you could get hurt.”
Lyly nodded obediently, her big eyes wide and innocent. But the moment Mother stepped away, her curiosity started bubbling. On the shelf sat a basket of bright, shiny fruit that looked far too tempting. Lyly’s little hands twitched. “Just a peek,” she whispered to herself.
Within seconds, she scrambled up the shelf, ignoring the warning. At first, she felt proud—she had reached the top! But then, with a wobble, one of the fruits rolled down and hit the floor with a loud thud.
Mother rushed back into the room. Her eyes widened when she saw Lyly clinging to the shelf, caught red-handed. Lyly froze, cheeks puffed out guiltily. She quickly hopped down, head bowed, afraid of what would come next.
Mother looked at her seriously, arms crossed. Lyly’s little heart sank. “I told you not to climb there, Lyly,” Mother said firmly. “Why didn’t you listen?”
Lyly shuffled her feet and whispered, “I… I just wanted the fruit.” Her voice was small, filled with worry.
For a moment, Mother stayed quiet, letting the lesson sink in. Then she knelt down and gently lifted Lyly’s chin so their eyes met. “I’m not angry because of the fruit. I’m worried because you could have gotten hurt. When you disobey, it puts you in danger.”
Lyly’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Mama. I won’t do it again.”
Mother sighed softly and pulled her into a warm hug. “That’s all I need, Lyly. Promise me you’ll listen next time.”
Lyly nodded, clinging tightly to her mother. In that moment, she realized that rules weren’t meant to stop her fun—they were there to keep her safe.
