Note: This story is based off the modern Curious George TV series & movies (not the original books) and includes elements from both. It happens some time after the 2nd movie.
This ISN'T a children's story, although you could read parts of it to children and they might enjoy it. I blend George's simple, innocent viewpoint with slightly more mature concepts, which you'd actually never see on the show. It's not risqué, and there are no lemons or graphic details, but… you'll see what I mean. It's good clean fun for anyone old enough to know about the birds & the bees.
George glanced at the clock as he reached for another crayon. Yawning softly, he blinked and returned his attention to the coloring book on the table. It was well past his bedtime, but the Man in the Yellow Hat still wasn't back from his date with Maggie.
Ted had given George permission to stay up late and wait for him to return. George had found this strange, but he wasn't about to argue with the chance to stay up later than usual.
After an exhausting, thorough exploration of their apartment building from basement to rooftop, he'd settled into an African Safari coloring book. He was in the middle of scribbling in an elephant's trunk when his heavy eyelids began to droop. George tried valiantly to stay awake, wanting to enjoy every last moment of late-night freedom, but it was hopeless. The little monkey finally let his head rest on the kitchen table, and gentle snores could soon be heard rising from a sea of scattered crayons.
Ted returned fifteen minutes later, cautiously peering around the door as he stepped inside. One look at the table and his mouth fell in a defeated slant. He half expected this. Poor George, trying his best to stay awake. If only we hadn't ordered dessert.
Quietly removing his shoes, Ted lifted George carefully from his chair and carried him to bed. Later, he smiled to himself while cleaning crayons from the table, casting a wistful glance around the brightly lit kitchen and darkened rooms beyond. Tomorrow he would tell George that this place was going to look – and feel – a lot different by this time next year.