In the deep heart of the jungle, where the leaves whispered and sunlight filtered through tall trees, lived a small baby monkey named Mino. Mino didn’t have much. His fur was a bit patchy, his limbs thin, and his belly often rumbled with hunger. Unlike the other young monkeys who played freely with full bellies, Mino lived quietly with his mother, tucked in the lower branches where food was often harder to find.
His mother did her best, always searching for fruits and roots, always trying to keep him warm. But life had been hard lately. A dry season had swept through the jungle, and many of the usual food spots had gone bare. Still, every morning, Mino woke up with hope in his heart.
On this particular morning, the sun rose golden and bright. Birds sang joyfully as if they sensed something special. Mino opened his eyes and stretched, feeling the familiar ache in his empty belly. His mother gently held him close and whispered, “Today will be better, little one. Let’s go find your breakfast.”
They climbed slowly, branch by branch, stopping here and there to check for fruit. But the trees were quiet. Mino’s stomach growled, but he didn’t cry. Instead, he smiled at his mother and pointed to the next tree. “Maybe there!” he squeaked, full of spirit.
Then, just when they were about to give up, a sound came from above—a rustle, followed by the soft thump of fruit hitting the ground. A kind older monkey named Toma was up in the tall branches, shaking loose a bunch of ripe bananas. When he saw Mino and his mother below, he smiled warmly.
“You look hungry,” Toma said. “Take these. I have plenty today.”
Mino’s eyes lit up as Toma dropped the bananas gently to the ground. His mother bowed her head in gratitude, and Mino eagerly took a bite, his small hands gripping the soft fruit. The first taste was like sunshine—sweet, warm, and full of life.
With every bite, Mino’s smile grew. He laughed between mouthfuls, clapping his hands and offering a piece to his mother. The joy on his face made the entire jungle seem brighter.
Though Mino was poor in things, he was rich in spirit—full of hope, love, and joy even in hard times. That morning’s meal, simple as it was, became a symbol of something greater: that even the poorest among us can experience prosperity through kindness and hope
