“Look, a monkey!” Emma shouted, pointing to the backyard.
“A monkey?” Mom chuckled. “Emma, you have such an imagination! How could there be a monkey in our backyard in Fort Worth?”
But Emma insisted. “He’s hiding behind the big oak tree! He’s super shy, but I can hear him!”
Mom raised her eyebrows. Emma did love to talk to animals, even if they couldn’t talk back... yet! Mom decided to play along. “Oh, really? What’s he saying?”
“He says his name is Miko, and he came from a faraway planet!” Emma whispered excitedly. “He traveled here in a spaceship shaped like a banana!”
Mom laughed. “A banana spaceship? That’s quite a story!”
Emma nodded seriously. “Miko says his planet is called Fructus, and everyone there is respectful to each other and their environment. They don’t litter, and they always help each other. He wants to learn if Earthlings are respectful too!”
Mom smiled. “Well, Miko came to the right place. We try our best to be respectful here too.”
“We do?” Emma’s eyes widened.
“Of course!” Mom explained. “We show respect by being kind to each other, just like you are to your toys. We respect our home by keeping it clean and taking care of our things. And we respect nature by not littering and appreciating its beauty.”
Emma looked thoughtfully at the backyard. “Like how we water the flowers and don’t pick them before they bloom?”
“Exactly!” Mom beamed. “See? You already understand respect!”
Emma grinned. “Miko, did you hear that? We are respectful Earthlings!”
Mom couldn’t help but wonder if Emma truly believed there was a monkey from another planet, but she played along, enjoying her daughter's vivid imagination.
“Miko says he’s impressed!” Emma giggled. “He wants to stay and play with us!”
“Well, tell Miko he’s welcome to join us!” Mom said, grabbing a blanket to spread out on the grass.
They spent the afternoon playing in the backyard. Emma told Mom all about Miko's adventures on Fructus, like the time he won a fruit-carving contest and the time he helped save a baby starfruit from falling out of a tree.
As the sun began to set, Mom announced it was time to go inside.
Emma hugged Mom’s leg. “Thank you for playing with me and Miko today!”
Mom smiled. “You’re welcome, sweetie. I love hearing about your imaginary friends.”
Emma giggled, then whispered, “Miko says thank you for being so respectful.”
Mom chuckled and steered Emma inside.
That night, as Emma drifted off to sleep, she could have sworn she saw a tiny banana spaceship soaring past her window, leaving a trail of shimmering stardust behind it. And for just a moment, she thought she heard a faint voice whisper, “Respect, little Earthling, respect.”
