Fresh from his warm morning bath, tiny baby LeDuc was wrapped in a soft towel, his fur still damp and sticking to his little belly. Mom gently carried him outside where sunlight danced across the garden. The world smelled clean — like soap, flowers, and new beginnings. LeDuc blinked, eyes wide and curious, unsure why he wasn’t being held close like usual. Instead, Mom slowly laid him on a small mat under the gentle sunshine.
At first, LeDuc whimpered, stretching his hands toward her, wanting to be hugged again. He didn’t understand sunbathing — all he knew was warmth from a mother’s chest, not light from the sky. But Mom stroked his back lovingly, whispering reassurance only he could understand. Her touch meant safety, so he relaxed little by little, tiny chest rising and falling with calmer breaths.
The sun touched him softly, like golden fingers warming his freshly cleaned skin. His fur began to fluff dry, and soon his body felt cozy instead of wet and cold. LeDuc rolled slightly, trying to explore the new sensation. He even lifted his feet awkwardly, as if testing if sunshine tasted like milk. Mom chuckled, watching her baby grow braver by the second.
A gentle breeze made him wiggle, then he let out a tiny happy chirp — a sound that made Mom smile with pride. She shielded him with her hand when clouds moved away and light grew brighter, protecting his delicate skin. LeDuc closed his eyes, slowly drifting toward sleep, his first sunbath turning into a peaceful nap.
For a moment the world stood still. Just a baby monkey learning life, and a mother giving him the small experiences that make him strong. Warmth, comfort, love — all wrapped in sunlight.
Under that soft UV glow, LeDuc looked like the purest symbol of hope.
