It all started when CEO Kien invited little monkey Lala to help him harvest snails from the muddy rice fields.
“Come on, Lala!” he said, holding up a big basket. “Let’s go find some delicious snails for dinner!”
Lala was excited. She put on her sunhat, rolled up her sleeves, and followed him into the soft, squishy mud.
At first, it was fun! She laughed every time her feet sank into the earth with a loud squish!, and she was surprisingly good at spotting snails hiding under leaves and rocks.
“Look, I found three!” she squealed.
CEO Kien cheered, “You’re a snail expert already!”
But after an hour… the fun started to wear off.
Lala’s hands were covered in mud, her fur was sticking to her arms, and a strange smell followed her wherever she went.
She scratched her belly. Then her ear. Then her tail.
“Um… CEO Kien,” she whispered, “I think the snails made me itchy.”
He looked at her and laughed gently. “That’s the snail life, Lala. Mud, mess, and mystery smells!”
By the time they returned home, Lala was practically waddling—sticky, stinky, and scratching.
“Straight to the bath!” Mom said, holding her nose playfully.
Lala didn’t even argue. She dove into the warm, soapy water, letting out a dramatic sigh. “Ahhhh… goodbye, snail stink!”
After lots of bubbles, scrubbing, and a spritz of banana-scented spray, Lala was back to her soft, clean self.
Wrapped in a towel, she smiled. “Next time, maybe I’ll watch the snail harvest… from a distance.”
CEO Kien chuckled. “Deal. But you were a brave little helper.”
And even if she smelled like a swamp for a while, Lala would always remember the adventure with muddy feet and a happy heart.
