The morning sun peeked through the window as little monkey Lala stretched and rubbed her eyes. Today felt special—she could smell something sweet and toasty floating in the air.
“Mmm… what’s that smell?” she asked, hopping off her bed and following her nose to the kitchen.
There, on the table, was a beautiful tray filled with colorful, round, and square treats—traditional cakes made fresh by Grandma!
“Good morning, Lala!” Grandma smiled. “Come have breakfast. These are all your favorites.”
Lala’s eyes sparkled. “Wow! What are they?”
Grandma pointed one by one. “This is banh chuoi, made with sweet banana and coconut. That one is banh it tran, sticky rice with mung bean inside. And this little one? Banh da lon—layered and soft like jelly!”
Lala clapped her hands. “They look like candy!”
She carefully picked up the banh da lon, its green and purple layers wobbling a little. She took one bite—and her face lit up.
“It’s so chewy and sweet!” she squealed.
Next, she tried the warm banana cake. The coconut flavor melted in her mouth.
With each bite, Lala felt like she was tasting stories—recipes passed down from Grandma’s grandma, treats made for festivals, birthdays, and quiet mornings like this.
Grandma poured her a small cup of warm soy milk. “Traditional cakes are special, Lala. Not just because of how they taste, but because they bring family together.”
Lala nodded, mouth full. “I love them! Can we eat them every morning?”
Grandma laughed. “Maybe not every morning—but often enough to make sweet memories.”
As the sun rose higher, Lala sat happily, her tummy full and her heart warm, surrounded by love, laughter, and the joy of delicious tradition.
