It was a quiet morning—until a sudden noise shook the calm.
A small monkey, known by locals as Chiko, had been spotted often near the roadside, always curious, always playful. He was gentle and friendly, often sitting by the trees, watching the world go by. Many passersby had seen him there, sometimes sharing a snack or waving from their bikes.
But today… something terrible happened.
Chiko had wandered too close to the road. Perhaps he was looking for food, or maybe just chasing a butterfly—no one truly knows. In a flash, a fast-moving vehicle came around the bend. It happened so quickly, no one had time to react.
The driver didn’t stop.
When people rushed to the scene, it was already too late. Chiko lay still, his tiny body fragile and lifeless. The sight brought tears to many eyes. Children cried. Adults stood in silence, hands over their mouths. Even the monkeys from nearby trees let out quiet, mournful calls.
One kind man picked up Chiko gently, wrapped him in a cloth, and placed flowers beside him. “He was always here,” the man said softly, “like a friend we didn’t truly know—but loved.”
A small candle was lit, and the people in the area held a moment of silence in memory of the little life lost too soon.
Chiko may have been just one monkey to some—but to others, he was a reminder of how delicate and precious life is.
