Her baby, Miko, was the opposite—full of endless curiosity, unstoppable energy, and a talent for getting into trouble faster than any monkey in their troop. Whether it was chasing brightly colored insects, tumbling through piles of leaves, or swinging a little too low over muddy puddles, Miko always managed to find the messiest places in the forest.
One warm afternoon, after a morning filled with playful adventures, Lila suddenly paused as she heard a familiar rustling. She turned her head and saw Miko rolling—quite literally rolling—in a patch of soft, sticky mud. The mud squished between his tiny fingers, and he giggled as he kicked his feet in the air, covering himself from his ears down to the tip of his tail.
“Miko…” Lila sighed, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. She hopped to the ground, landing softly beside him. The little monkey looked up with the biggest, proudest smile—as if being covered head to toe in mud was an achievement worth celebrating.
But Lila saw more than just a dirty baby monkey. She saw the leaves and twigs tangled in his fur, the patches of dried mud forming little clumps, and even a small beetle hitching a ride on his tail. It was clear: Miko needed a wash. A very thorough one.
Without wasting a moment, Lila scooped him up. Miko squealed playfully, thinking this was another game, but his mother knew exactly where she was taking him. In the center of the forest was a small, sparkling spring—a pool of clear water that many animals used because of its purity. It was the safest, cleanest place to bathe, and Lila trusted it more than any other spot.
The journey to the spring was a fun one for Miko, who stretched his hands out toward passing branches, butterflies, and the occasional dangling vine. But the moment Lila stepped into the shallow water, Miko’s excitement turned into surprise. The cool water touched his muddy fur, causing him to chirp in shock.
Lila laughed. “Yes, my little adventurer, it’s bath time.”
She dipped him gently, letting the water swirl around him. Mud floated away in cloudy swirls, and Lila used her hands to scrub away the stubborn patches. Miko, after overcoming the initial surprise, began splashing happily, sending droplets flying everywhere. His squeaks echoed across the spring as Lila carefully cleaned behind his ears, under his arms, and even the tip of his tail.
Birds perched nearby, watching with curiosity. A pair of parrots even mimicked Miko’s squeals, turning the whole scene into a musical moment. A few other monkeys peeked from the branches above, chuckling softly at the little one’s bath-time antics.
When Lila finally lifted him from the water, Miko’s fur shone under the sunlight. He looked fresh, fluffy, and—most importantly—clean. Lila held him close, grooming his face with gentle strokes. Miko nuzzled into her chest, purring softly in comfort.
Clean and content, the little monkey clung to his mother as she climbed back up into the treetops. The forest breeze dried his fur until it fluffed up like a tiny brown cloud. As they reached their favorite branch overlooking the forest, Miko curled in her arms and slowly drifted into a peaceful nap.
Lila smiled and wrapped her tail around him protectively. She knew that by tomorrow he would be dirty all over again—covered in mud, leaves, and who-knows-what else. After all, that was Miko. And she wouldn’t change a thing.
Because for every muddy adventure, every tumble, every silly mistake, Lila knew she’d always be there—ready to wash him, guide him, and love him endlessly.
