As the sun dipped behind the distant hills and the jungle settled into quiet stillness, a little monkey wandered along a narrow forest path. His name was Nilo, and though he was small, he was brave and full of wonder. That day, he had explored deeper into the jungle than ever before.
His journey had taken him across streams, beneath thick canopies, and through fields of wildflowers. By the time the sky turned golden-orange, Nilo’s belly rumbled with hunger, and his legs grew tired.
Luckily, Nilo had packed a small bundle of fruits—sweet bananas, a few wild berries, and slices of ripe papaya. He climbed up onto a large, flat rock and sat quietly, munching happily as the forest glowed with the last light of day. Birds sang soft evening songs, and fireflies began to flicker in the bushes.
After he finished every bite, Nilo looked around for a place to rest. He had wandered far from his usual trees and nests, and he wasn’t sure where he would sleep. Then, just ahead, hidden behind thick vines and tall grass, he spotted something unusual—a large, wooden structure half-sunk into the side of a hill.
It looked old—very old—with vines wrapped around its corners and moss growing along the edges. Nilo stepped closer. The structure wasn’t a treehouse or a nest. It was an ancient wooden house, carved into the rock like a hidden cave. Perhaps it had once belonged to monkeys long ago or other forest creatures who had left it behind.
Curious and sleepy, Nilo climbed through a wide crack in the wooden doorway. Inside, the air was cool and still. The floor was smooth stone, and carved beams stretched across the ceiling. Soft patches of dry grass and leaves made a perfect bed in one corner.
Nilo curled up in the makeshift bedding and yawned deeply. The walls around him felt safe and strong. Outside, the wind rustled through the bamboo, and crickets began to sing their nighttime lullaby. Nilo’s eyes grew heavy.
Within moments, he was fast asleep.
His dreams were sweet—of fruits, vines, and laughter. The cave-like house, ancient but gentle, held him like a cradle in the quiet night.
