The evening was peaceful as Dad finished cleaning the outdoor area, expecting Monkey Kaka to come running to him like usual. But today was different. Instead of his cheerful jumps and bright eyes, Kaka sat quietly in the corner, his little face drooping with sadness. His hands rested on his lap, and he didn’t even look up when Dad called his name.
Dad immediately felt something tighten in his chest. “Kaka… what’s wrong, buddy?” he asked gently, walking over to him. Kaka lifted his eyes slowly, and the moment Dad saw that expression—the tiny trembling lips, the watery eyes—his own heart sank. Seeing Kaka sad always made Dad feel twice as sad.
Dad sat beside him, placing a warm hand on his back. Kaka leaned into him, letting out a small whimper, as if trying to say he felt lonely or worried. Dad hugged him close, stroking his fur softly. “I’m here. You can tell me anything,” he whispered.
Kaka didn’t speak, but he wrapped his tiny arms around Dad’s neck tightly. That hug said everything. Maybe he had a bad dream, maybe he felt left out earlier, or maybe he just needed comfort—but Dad knew the only important thing was to be there for him now.
To cheer him up, Dad began making funny faces, gently booping Kaka’s nose and wiping away the sadness from his expression. Slowly, Kaka’s little frown started to lift. His eyes brightened, and a tiny giggle finally escaped.
Dad sighed in relief, smiling warmly. “There’s my happy boy.”
By the end of the evening, Kaka was back to snuggling in Dad’s arms, completely comforted. And Dad felt grateful—because even though Kaka’s sadness hurt his heart, helping him smile again was the greatest joy he could ever have.
