A Tong, the adventurous little monkey, had always been fearless. He loved climbing trees, swinging from branches, and testing his limits. But today, his confidence had cost him.
Earlier in the morning, he had been playing high up in a tree, chasing a butterfly that fluttered teasingly above him. He leaped from one branch to another, his tiny hands gripping tightly. But then, in a split second, his foot slipped.
With a surprised squeak, A Tong tumbled down, hitting a few branches before landing on the ground with a soft thud. His little body trembled from the shock, and a sharp sting spread across his face where he had scraped it against the bark.
Hearing his cry, his mother rushed over. She picked him up gently, examining his injury. A small wound had formed on his cheek, and tiny scratches marked his nose.
“Shh, my little one, it’s okay,” Mom cooed, stroking his head. But A Tong whimpered, clinging onto her tightly, his big eyes filled with tears.
She knew what she had to do. She walked over to a small basket where she kept medical supplies. A bottle of Betadine sat inside, ready for moments like this.
A Tong, still sniffling, watched as she dabbed a soft cotton ball with the antiseptic liquid. The moment he saw her bringing it toward his face, he panicked.
“No! No!” he protested, shaking his head.
Mom sighed, holding him still. “It will sting a little, but I promise it will make you better,” she reassured him.
The cotton ball touched his wound, and A Tong let out a dramatic squeal, twisting in her arms. “Owie!” he whined, even though the sting was mild.
Mom kissed his forehead. “All done, my brave boy.”
A Tong sniffled but relaxed in her arms. The pain was already fading, and he knew he was safe. Next time, maybe he’d be more careful—but knowing A Tong, adventure was always calling.
