The Monkey Bug Picker

Once upon a time, a big, fluffy lion had a very itchy problem. He had itchy-scratchy bugs hiding in his mane! Scratch, scratch, scratch! He was so tired of scratching that he sat under a tree and sighed a big, sad lion sigh.

Just then, a cheerful little monkey swung by from a branch.

"Oh, King Lion!" squeaked the monkey. "Why the long face? Why are you so wiggly and sad?"

The lion pointed to his head and drooped his ears. "I have too many tickly-itchy bugs in my hair!"

"Don't worry, my friend! I can help!" said the kind monkey. He hopped right down and began to look closely through the lion's soft fur.

• "One!" whispered the monkey, picking a bug.
• "Two!" he giggled, picking another.
• "Three!"

Pop, pop, pop! One by one, the clever monkey picked out every single tickly bug. He worked so gently that the lion started to feel much better.

By the end of the day, every single bug was gone! The lion’s head didn't itch at all anymore. He let out a happy, joyful roar and smiled a giant lion smile. He was so grateful to have such a helpful little friend!