Early in the morning, little Monkey Lyly followed her mother to the corn garden behind their cozy home. The golden corn stalks swayed gently in the breeze, and Lyly’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Today, she wanted to help her mother harvest the ripest corn all by herself.
With her tiny hands, Lyly carefully reached up and pulled down each ear of corn. Some were big and full, while others were small and tender. She worked very hard, carrying the heavy basket across the field again and again. Sweat covered her little face, but she smiled proudly because she wanted to surprise her mother with a delicious corn meal.
After a long morning, Lyly rushed into the kitchen and placed the basket on the table. “Mom, look! I picked all of this for us. Can you cook it now?” she asked happily.
Her mother looked at the corn and gently shook her head. “Not yet, Lyly,” she said softly.
Lyly’s smile disappeared at once. Her ears drooped, and tears quickly filled her eyes. She had spent so much time picking the corn, and now her mother didn’t want to cook it. Feeling hurt and disappointed, Lyly sat in the corner with her arms crossed. She thought her hard work didn’t matter.
Seeing Lyly so upset, her mother sat beside her and gave her a warm hug. “My sweet Lyly, I’m not refusing because I don’t appreciate your work,” she explained kindly. “This corn is still a little too fresh. If we let it rest until evening, it will taste sweeter and much more delicious.”
Lyly looked up with surprise. “Really?” she asked.
Her mother smiled and nodded. “Yes, and because you worked so hard, I’ll make your favorite creamy butter corn soup tonight.”
The whole afternoon, Lyly waited excitedly. When evening came, the kitchen filled with the wonderful smell of sweet corn soup. As Lyly tasted the first spoonful, her face lit up with joy.
She finally understood that sometimes waiting makes the reward even better, and her mother truly valued all the love and effort she had put into picking the corn.
