In a small jungle clearing, baby monkey Abi had earned a reputation for being a little water-loving diva. Unlike her siblings, who loved climbing trees and exploring the forest, Abi found her greatest joy in the soothing splash of water.
One sunny morning, Abi’s mom called out, “Come on, Abi! It’s time to go out and play.” Abi peeked out from behind a large leaf, her face scrunched up in defiance. “No, Mama. I want to take a bath instead!”
Her mom sighed, shaking her head with a smile. “Abi, you’ve already had two baths this morning! Don’t you want to climb trees or find tasty fruits with your brothers and sisters?”
But Abi wouldn’t budge. She toddled over to the little stream near their home, dipping her hands into the cool water and splashing happily. Her siblings giggled as they watched her. “Abi, you’re going to turn into a fish if you stay in the water all day!” one of them teased.
To coax her out, her mom decided to make a deal. “Abi,” she said, “if you come with us to explore the forest, I promise you can have a long, bubbly bath when we get back.” Abi hesitated, her little face wrinkling in thought. “Promise?” she asked, holding up her tiny pinky finger.
“Promise,” her mom said with a chuckle, linking her finger with Abi’s.
Reluctantly, Abi left her beloved stream and followed her family into the forest. At first, she grumbled, dragging her feet. But as they ventured deeper, she began to notice the beauty around her—the way the sunlight danced through the trees, the vibrant colors of wildflowers, and the cheerful songs of birds.
By the time they returned home, Abi was chattering excitedly about everything she had seen. True to her word, her mom filled a small basin with water and bubbles. Abi climbed in with a delighted squeal.
As she soaked in the water, Abi realized that while she still loved her baths, exploring the forest wasn’t so bad after all.
