The sun was just beginning to rise, painting the sky with soft shades of orange and pink, when Lala realized the day she had been dreading had finally come. Grandma had spent a whole wonderful week with the family, filling the house with laughter, warm hugs, and delicious treats. But now it was time for her to return to her little cottage across the river.
Lala sat quietly on the porch steps with the baby monkey beside her, both of them unusually silent. The baby monkey clutched Grandma’s scarf, unwilling to let go, while Lala’s eyes shimmered with tears. The house, once so lively with Grandma’s cheerful stories, already felt a little emptier.
Grandma knelt down and smiled gently at them. “Don’t be sad, my little ones,” she said softly. “Goodbyes only make the next visit even sweeter.”
But Lala couldn’t help feeling sad. Every morning, Grandma had helped brush her fur, made sweet banana cakes, and told magical bedtime stories about stars, rivers, and brave little monkeys. The baby monkey loved curling up in Grandma’s lap while listening to her soothing voice. The thought of those precious moments ending made their hearts heavy.
When the little cart arrived to take Grandma home, the sadness grew even stronger. Lala hugged Grandma tightly, burying her face into her soft shawl. The baby monkey climbed into Grandma’s arms and gave her the tiniest, saddest squeak, as if begging her not to go.
Grandma kissed both of them lovingly. She handed Lala a small woven basket filled with homemade cookies and a tiny hand-sewn doll for the baby monkey. “Whenever you miss me, hold these close and remember my love is always with you,” she whispered.
As the cart slowly rolled away, Lala and the baby monkey stood by the gate waving with watery eyes. They watched until Grandma became a tiny figure in the distance and finally disappeared beyond the trees.
For a moment, the yard felt heartbreakingly quiet. Then the baby monkey hugged the little doll, and Lala opened the basket of cookies. The sweet familiar smell instantly reminded them of Grandma’s warmth.
Though their goodbye was sad, Lala smiled through her tears because she knew Grandma’s love would stay in their hearts forever. And deep inside, both Lala and the baby monkey were already looking forward to the joyful day they would see Grandma again.
