Monty's Mischief

Soft morning light spilled across the room as Lolo Bear stirred in his sleep.

- Dr K Rani

He woke up early that day. His mother and father were fast asleep nearby.

Lolo looked around and quietly tiptoed outside. He had just reached the neem tree, jumping and hopping, when a laugh came from above.

"Look, Lolo is coming alone," said a voice.

It was Monty Monkey's voice.

Monty was sitting on a thick branch of the neem tree with four of his friends, Pippa, Mickey, Theo and Hugo. Mischief twinkled in all their eyes.

"You are roaming alone so early in the morning, Lolo. Come on, let us play together," Monty said.

In no time, all the monkeys jumped down from the tree and formed a circle around Lolo.

"Show us a dance, Lolo. We will give you lots of sweet fruits," Theo laughed.

Seeing so many monkeys around him, Lolo's heart began to pound.

"I do not know how to dance. I want to go home," Lolo whimpered.

"Show us a little dance, then we will let you go. In return, you will get a heap of fruits," Monty said, laughing.

"Dance, dance, dance!" The monkeys began clapping.

Out of fear, tears came into Lolo's eyes.

Still, with small, hesitant steps, he began to sway a little. Sometimes he bent this way and sometimes that way. He just wanted to go home.

"Faster, more fun!" Mickey shouted, jumping.

"Spin around," Hugo laughed.

Lolo's throat tightened. His legs began to tremble.

"Please, let me go now," Lolo said, scared.

"Not yet," said Monty, blocking his way.

Lolo's eyes brimmed, and the tears slowly overflowed. He started crying loudly.

At that very moment, they heard the sound of heavy footsteps coming from behind the bushes.