It all started when Mom said the words no one wanted to hear:
“Time for nap!”
Monkey Kaka’s ears twitched. Diem froze mid-snack. Quynh gasped.
“Nap? But we’re not even tired!” whispered Kaka.
Diem and Quynh nodded in silent agreement. The trio looked at each other… then at the big hallway closet. It was dark. It was quiet. It was perfect.
“Let’s hide!” Quynh whispered with a grin.
Like tiny ninjas, the three tiptoed across the floor, giggling softly. Kaka opened the closet door slowly—creeeak!—and in they went, squishing between coats, boxes, and a pile of Dad’s old shoes.
They huddled together, barely able to stop giggling.
“Sssshhh!” Diem said, holding back a laugh.
Outside, Mom called out, “Kaka? Diem? Quynh? Where are you three?”
The closet shook with quiet giggles. Kaka accidentally stepped on a slipper that let out a squeak! Everyone froze.
Mom paused… “Hmm…”
Footsteps came closer. Closer. The closet door suddenly flew open—WHOOSH!
“BOO!!” Mom shouted, making all three scream and fall backward into a pile of towels.
Caught!
Mom laughed and shook her head. “I knew you’d be in here. You little monkeys think I don’t know all your hiding spots?”
“But we weren’t sleepy!” Quynh said, arms crossed.
Mom smiled and pulled them into a big hug. “Okay, no nap… but how about quiet time with a story?”
Everyone agreed, and soon they were curled up on a soft blanket, reading their favorite picture book.
As it turned out, hiding in the closet wasn’t as comfy as snuggling up with Mom—and nobody complained when they accidentally dozed off halfway through the story.
