The Little Tarsier

The Little Tarsier - Author : Aysel Banu YAVUZAL

Deep in the rainforest, where the trees grow tall and the leaves stay green all year, lived a little tarsier. He was tiny, about the size of a fist, with soft golden-brown fur and enormous round amber eyes. His eyes were so big and bright that he could see everything, even in the dark. He had long thin fingers and toes with sticky pads, and a long slender tail that curled around branches. Every night, he loved to explore. 1

The rainforest was full of sounds and smells. The little tarsier listened to the chirping crickets and the croaking frogs. He sniffed the sweet scent of night flowers. He climbed from branch to branch, using his sticky fingers to grip the bark. His huge eyes spotted tiny insects and shiny leaves. He was curious about everything. 'What a wonderful world,' he whispered. 2

One night, as the little tarsier sat on a high branch, he saw something strange. Far above, high in the canopy, tiny glowing lights twinkled like stars. They blinked on and off, on and off. 'What can those be?' he wondered. His curiosity tickled his tummy. He wanted to find out. So he decided to climb higher and see for himself. 3

The little tarsier climbed up and up, but the lights seemed very far away. Suddenly, a voice called out, 'Hello there!' He looked down and saw a flying frog sitting on a leaf. The frog had bright emerald-green skin, big round dark eyes, and a wide friendly smile. Its long webbed feet had orange flaps between the toes, like little wings. 'I'm a flying frog,' it said. 'I saw those glowing lights too!' 4

'I'm a little tarsier,' said the tarsier. 'I want to find out what those lights are.' The flying frog hopped closer. 'Me too!' it said. 'Let's go together. I can glide from tree to tree, and you can climb. We can help each other.' The tarsier liked that idea. 'Yes, let's be explorers!' he said. And so they set off. 5

The flying frog spread its orange webbed feet and leaped into the air. It glided gracefully from one tree to another. The tarsier climbed quickly, using his long fingers and toes. But soon, they came to a gap between two tall trees. The tarsier could not jump that far. 'How will I get across?' he asked. The flying frog smiled. 'Hold on to my feet! I can glide across with you.' 6

The tarsier held tight to the flying frog's webbed feet. The frog leaped, and they glided through the air together. The tarsier felt the wind in his fur and saw the forest below. 'Wheee!' he cried. They landed safely on the next tree. 'Thank you!' said the tarsier. 'That was fun!' The flying frog grinned. 'You're welcome! Now let's keep going.' 7

As they traveled, they reached a tree with slippery bark. The flying frog tried to climb, but its feet slipped. 'I can't hold on!' it said. The tarsier reached out a long thin finger. 'Grab my hand!' he said. The frog grabbed the tarsier's sticky finger, and the tarsier pulled it up. 'Thank you!' said the flying frog. 'You're a good friend.' The tarsier smiled. 'So are you.' 8

They continued on their way, helping each other. When the tarsier's tail got tangled in a vine, the flying frog chewed the vine gently to free him. When the flying frog got tired, the tarsier found a cozy branch for them to rest. They talked and laughed. 'I'm glad I met you,' said the tarsier. 'Me too,' said the flying frog. 'Curiosity is fun when you have a friend.' 9

At last, they climbed high into the canopy. The glowing lights were close now. They twinkled and danced among the leaves. The tarsier and the flying frog hid behind a leaf and peeked out. What they saw made them gasp with delight. Tiny creatures were flying around, each one with a little light on its tail. They were fireflies! And they were having a party. 10

The fireflies were buzzing and twirling in the air. They flew in loops and spirals, their lights blinking in time with the music of the forest. Some fireflies were dancing on leaves, while others zipped through the branches. 'Wow!' whispered the tarsier. 'It's a firefly party!' The flying frog nodded. 'Let's watch,' it said. 'But let's not disturb them.' 11

Just then, a little firefly flew over to them. 'Hello!' it said. 'Would you like to join our party?' The tarsier's big eyes widened. 'Can we?' he asked. 'Of course!' said the firefly. 'Everyone is welcome.' So the tarsier and the flying frog joined the fireflies. They danced and twirled, and the fireflies' lights made the whole canopy sparkle. It was magical. 12

The tarsier and the flying frog had so much fun. They played games with the fireflies and learned their names. The fireflies told them about the rainforest and its secrets. 'You must have been very curious to find us,' said one firefly. 'Yes,' said the tarsier. 'And I'm glad we did.' The flying frog agreed. 'We made new friends!' The fireflies smiled and blinked their lights. 13

As the night grew late, the tarsier and the flying frog said goodbye to the fireflies. 'Come back and visit us anytime,' said the fireflies. 'We will!' promised the tarsier. Then the flying frog glided down, carrying the tarsier safely. They landed on a branch near the tarsier's home. 'What an adventure!' said the tarsier.