Published: 02/07/2025
Download the transcript:
Welcome to Storytime with Dad! Today we will be reading Milo on the Move.
High in the treetops of a sunlit forest, a little monkey named Milo lived happily with his family. He spent his days swinging from twisting vines, snacking on sweet bananas, and playing hide-and-seek with the brightly colored parrots. Life felt cozy, safe, and familiar. But one day, Milo’s parents gathered him close and announced some big news: they would be leaving their home to live in a different jungle!
Milo’s heart skipped a beat. “A new jungle?” he asked. “Will there be friends to play with? Will it be scary?”
His mother smiled softly. “Every new place can feel scary at first,” she said, “but it can also hold fun surprises.”
His father ruffled Milo’s fur. “There might be different fruits and new animals to meet,” he said kindly. “And we’ll be together, no matter what.”
With a mixture of curiosity and a touch of nervousness, Milo packed his favorite things: a colorful vine bracelet from his best friend, a small pouch of nuts for snacking on the way, and a thick leaf blanket that always kept him cozy. Then, hand in hand, the family set off.
They traveled for days, hopping across winding rivers and passing through tall bamboo groves. At last, they reached their destination — a land of towering palm trees, lively waterfalls, and the scent of wildflowers drifting on the breeze. Parrots with rainbow feathers squawked overhead, while gentle breezes carried the sounds of distant howler monkeys greeting the sun.
Even though it was all so different, Milo felt a spark of excitement in his chest. His parents picked out a sturdy tree, and together they built a snug new nest. As Milo explored his surroundings, he met a cheerful young monkey, who swung down from a vine to say hello.
“Hi! I’m Rio,” the monkey called with a wide grin. “Are you new here?”
Milo nodded. “Yes, my family just arrived. It’s so big and different!”
Rio laughed. “That’s the best part — there’s so much to discover! Come with me!”
Off they went, dashing around mossy logs and climbing up ancient trees. Rio showed Milo secret waterfalls where tiny, glowing fish swam in hidden pools. They slid down smooth rocks and sang silly songs, their voices echoing through the forest. By evening, Milo felt more at home, realizing that new places could hold unexpected friendships and adventures.
Just as Milo was settling into his life in the palm-tree jungle, another surprise arrived. His parents explained they had found an even better spot — one with rare fruit trees and gentler weather. This meant the family would move again!
Milo’s eyes widened. “But I already made a friend here. Do we really have to leave?”
His mother gave him a comforting hug. “I’m sorry, Milo, but we think this new place will be best for our family,” she said, her eyes kind.
Milo felt sad to leave Rio, but he also remembered how, at first, he had been scared of the unknown — and how it turned into something wonderful. So, with a little sigh and a hopeful smile, he said goodbye to Rio and promised to visit.
Milo and his family headed off once more, trekking through thick vines and across swaying rope bridges (built by the orangutans of course). Day by day, they made their way to a lush rainforest that shimmered with morning dew. The air was damp and cool, filled with gentle fog that curled around towering trees.
At first, Milo felt too shy to explore. “What if I can’t find a new friend this time?” he wondered.
But after a few days of monkey watching, he spotted a playful capuchin monkey, skipping across a cluster of giant lily pads. She peered at him from behind a palm frond, then flashed an inviting smile. Her name was Yara. Before he knew it, they were jumping from lily pad to lily pad, playing a lively game of tag.
Soon, the rainforest no longer seemed scary. Colorful toucans perched in branches overhead, weaving together little songs. Leafcutter ants marched in neat lines, carrying bits of leaves across the forest floor. With Yara’s help, Milo discovered hidden lagoons, watched a chorus of frogs croaking under the moonlight, and tasted juicy wild mangoes that dripped with sweet nectar.
One night, as Milo settled down in his cozy new nest, he heard a rustle below. When he peered over the edge, his heart leaped with excitement — there was Rio, his friend from the palm-tree jungle!
“My family decided to visit some relatives,” Rio explained happily, pointing to a group of monkeys climbing up a nearby tree. “I heard you lived here now, so I wanted to surprise you!”
Milo scrambled down to greet Rio with a big hug. All at once, memories of their first adventures together came rushing back. Yara soon joined them, and the three young monkeys spent the evening telling stories about their home jungles, trading jokes, and giggling whenever bats swooped overhead.
As Milo laid down to sleep that night, gazing at the stars through the canopy, he realized something important: every jungle he had visited was special in its own way. In the first place, he discovered glowing waterfalls and a great friend named Rio. In the second, he found breathtaking lagoons and a new friend, Yara. Though each move felt uncertain at first, each new home brought new friendships and adventures.
He snuggled into his leaf bed with a feeling of peace. If ever he had to move again, Milo knew he could be brave – because no matter where he went, there would be exciting things to discover, kind hearts to meet, and more life to explore.
The next day, Rio’s relatives invited Milo, his family, and Yara’s family to a big feast by the river. While the adults shared stories over fresh fruit, the young monkeys hopped between large rocks, racing across the water with squeals of delight. They even found a hidden patch of rare, blue bananas — an odd and delicious treat that stained their tongues a silly color.
When the feast was over, everyone rested on the riverbank. Warm sunlight sparkled on the gently flowing water. Milo closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the soft sounds of birds and frogs. He felt a happy tingle in his chest.
No matter what changes life might bring — no matter where he and his family might end up — Milo understood now that there was a big, beautiful world out there, full of surprises waiting to be discovered. And with new friends like Rio and Yara in his heart, he would never be truly alone.
The End.
Well that was an entertaining read! Milo really learned how to look on the bright side, didn’t he? Before we talk about the story, I want to share that this episode was another listener request! Yosef, this one was for you. I appreciated getting a message and I hope you enjoyed Milo’s adventure.
Going to a new place can be sad, and scary, but I, too, have had to move a lot in my own life. And just like Milo, I learned that each new place I’ve gone has had it’s very own adventure to share, and great people to meet. It can be scary not knowing what we’re getting into, but it can also be exciting.
Let me share a little trick with you. So when I get nervous, I just tell my brain that I’m actually really excited instead. I basically pretend like I just can’t wait to get started doing the thing that’s scary. It’s crazy, but that one little change in my attitude really does make me less scared.
Think about it: when you’re scared what happens? Your hands might shake, your heart might be fast, you even might sweat a little. Now, compare that to when you’re really excited. Your hands might also shake, your heart also beats fast, and you might even start sweating a little! So really, the only difference between being scared and being excited is what we tell ourselves we’re feeling. Our body reacts the same way to both emotions, so our attitude is the big difference and we can control that just by thinking happy thoughts instead of scary ones.
So the next time time you find yourself moving, or doing something else that makes you sad, or nervous, tell yourself that it’s really going to be a great experience to have. That little voice in your head can be your greatest fan. You can do this. You’re going to be great. You’re going to have a lot of fun. You’ve never done this before, it’s going to be so exciting. Turn those bad thoughts into good ones and you’ll see.
Thank you Yosef, and everyone that’s listening, for continuing to write to me, share kind words, and ask for the kind of stories that you want to hear. Please don’t be a stranger. I am keeping a list of story requests to read and would love to add a few more to it. So, on that note –
Thank you for listening and I’ll see you again next time.
Kids Club Activities
Join the Storytime with Dad Kids Club and get FREE downloadable activities to do with your family!Register Here