It was a chilly morning in the little forest cottage where A Tong, the tiny baby monkey, lived with his loving family. The cool breeze rustled the leaves, but inside, the warmth of the home kept everyone cozy—except for A Tong, who sat quietly in the corner, his big round eyes filled with longing.
Earlier that morning, A Tong had tried to get his mom’s attention. She was busy with chores, preparing food and tidying the space, her hands constantly moving. Every time A Tong tugged at her arm or nuzzled her side, she gently nudged him away, saying, “Not now, little one. I’ll cuddle you soon.”
But “soon” felt like an eternity to A Tong. He plopped himself on the floor, his little face scrunched into an expression of pure misery. His tail curled around him as he stared at his mom with those pitiful, pleading eyes that could melt even the hardest heart.
His mom finally noticed him sitting so still, something unusual for her playful and energetic little one. “What’s wrong, A Tong?” she asked, her tone softening as she knelt down beside him.
A Tong didn’t move but let out a soft whimper, his way of saying he wanted nothing more than her warm embrace. His mom’s heart sank as she realized how much he had missed her care that morning. Without another word, she scooped him up into her arms, holding him close.
“There, there, my little one,” she whispered, stroking his soft fur. “I’m here now.” A Tong nestled into her chest, his tiny hands clutching her tightly as his eyes closed in contentment.
For the rest of the day, his mom kept him close, carrying him as she worked and pausing often to give him kisses and snuggles. A Tong’s earlier sadness was replaced with his usual playful spirit, but he didn’t stray far from his mom, making sure to soak in every moment of her warm, loving care.
Sometimes, all a little monkey like A Tong needed was the reassurance of a mother’s touch to make the world feel right again.
