In a quiet little village surrounded by forests and green rice fields, everyone knew about a mischievous monkey named SokYaa. He was small, smart, and endlessly curious. From stealing fruits to playing tricks on farmers, SokYaa was always up to something. But no one ever imagined he would one day make friends with the biggest, fiercest animal around — a tiger!
It started one sunny afternoon when SokYaa wandered far from the village. The day was hot, and the jungle beyond the fields looked cool and full of shade. He swung from tree to tree, enjoying the breeze, when suddenly he heard a low growl. The sound froze him in place. It wasn’t a dog or another monkey — it was deep, powerful, and close. Slowly, SokYaa peeked through the leaves and saw it: a massive tiger lying near a stream, its golden fur shining in the sunlight.
At first, SokYaa’s heart raced. He had heard stories from the villagers — stories of tigers that could bring down buffaloes with a single leap. Every instinct told him to run. But something about this tiger was different. It didn’t look angry or hungry. It looked… tired. Its head rested on its paws, and its tail swished lazily in the dust.
Cautiously, SokYaa moved closer, watching every movement. The tiger’s eyes flicked open, catching the little monkey instantly. SokYaa froze. For a moment, the jungle went silent — no birds, no wind, just two pairs of eyes staring at each other. Then, instead of pouncing, the tiger gave a low rumbling sound — almost like a sigh — and rolled over onto its back.
SokYaa tilted his head. Was that an invitation? He inched closer, heart pounding. When nothing happened, he took a deep breath and jumped down onto the ground. Step by step, he approached until he stood right beside the tiger’s huge paw. He reached out and gave it a quick tap. The tiger flicked its tail, looked at him, and then — to SokYaa’s surprise — licked his arm gently.
From that moment, a strange friendship began. SokYaa climbed onto the tiger’s back and tugged at its ears. The tiger growled softly, but it didn’t hurt him. Instead, it stood up and began to walk slowly, carrying the little monkey like a king on his throne. SokYaa laughed and clapped his hands, thrilled beyond measure.
When the pair returned to the edge of the village, the people couldn’t believe their eyes. A huge tiger, calm and obedient, walking with a tiny monkey sitting proudly on its back! Children screamed and ran for their houses, and even the adults stood frozen. SokYaa, of course, enjoyed every second of it. He waved to the villagers as if showing off his new best friend.
But controlling a tiger was not easy. Sometimes, the tiger would get playful and chase chickens or roll in the dirt, sending SokYaa tumbling. Other times, its deep growl made the villagers hide in fear. SokYaa tried to calm it with fruits or pats on the nose, shouting in his funny monkey voice as if giving orders. “Hey! Stop! Sit down!” But of course, a tiger listens to no one — not even a brave little monkey.
Still, the two became an unforgettable sight. Every morning, they played by the stream or explored the fields together. SokYaa would ride on the tiger’s back, holding onto its fur while the tiger splashed through puddles. Sometimes they even napped side by side under the shade of a mango tree.
In the end, SokYaa learned something powerful: friendship doesn’t always depend on size, strength, or species. It depends on trust. Though he could never truly control the tiger, the bond they shared was built on respect and play — two creatures from different worlds, united by curiosity and courage.
