The sun was shining brightly, and the yard was filled with the warm scent of freshly washed clothes. Mom hummed a cheerful tune as she carried the laundry basket outside, ready to hang the clothes on the line. Behind her, tiny baby Mato was playing on the porch with his favorite stuffed toy—or so she thought.
Mom hadn’t made it halfway to the clothesline when a piercing scream broke the calm morning.
“Eeeeee-EEEEEK!” Mato’s high-pitched wail echoed through the yard, startling birds from nearby trees. Mom spun around to see her little monkey standing at the edge of the porch, his face scrunched in anger and his tiny fists clenched.
“Mato, what’s wrong?” Mom called out, but she got no answer—just more dramatic screaming.
Before Mom could say another word, Mato took off, his tiny legs pumping furiously as he ran toward her. “Eeeeee!” he yelled, tears streaming down his face as if the world had come to an end.
By the time he reached her, Mato was completely out of breath but still determined. He grabbed onto Mom’s leg, shaking it furiously. “Mmm! Mmm!” he moaned, pointing toward the porch as if trying to explain.
Mom crouched down, gently patting his head. “What is it, baby? Did you lose your toy?” she asked.
But Mato wasn’t listening. He clung tightly to her, refusing to let her go back to drying the clothes. Mom sighed, scooped him up, and gave him a big hug.
“There, there, you dramatic little rascal,” she said, laughing softly. “You just wanted attention, didn’t you?”
Mato snuggled into her arms, his cries fading into soft sniffles. Mom carried him back to the porch, knowing her chores would have to wait.
