Little Jasmine was having a very difficult evening.
The tiny baby monkey had been waiting patiently for her milk, but Mommy was still busy with work. Jasmine had already been watching the doorway for what seemed like forever, hoping Mommy would finally come over and prepare her feeding.
She waited.
And waited.
Then her little patience disappeared.
“EEEEEE! EEEEE!”
Jasmine began screaming loudly.
Mommy looked over from her work.
“Oh, Jasmine, sweetheart. I know you’re waiting for your milk.”
But Jasmine wasn’t interested in waiting anymore.
“Milk! Milk!”
Her tiny voice became louder as she waved both hands toward Mommy. She looked extremely upset, almost as if she couldn’t understand why Mommy’s work was taking so long.
Mommy smiled apologetically.
“I know you’re hungry, baby. I’m almost finished.”
Jasmine answered with another dramatic scream.
“Eeeee! Eeeee!”
She shifted around restlessly, looking toward the feeding area and then back at Mommy. Every time Mommy continued working, Jasmine seemed even more determined to make sure she was noticed.
Mommy finally paused and came closer.
“Oh, my little girl. Were you waiting all this time?”
Jasmine immediately reached toward her.
Mommy gently offered her finger.
Jasmine grabbed it tightly.
Her cries became slightly softer, but she still made little complaining sounds.
“You really have something to say today,” Mommy whispered.
Jasmine looked up at her with watery eyes.
Mommy stayed beside her while finishing the preparations. She knew that a very young baby might communicate hunger and discomfort through crying, and that her feeding needed to be appropriate for Jasmine’s age and species and prepared according to qualified veterinary or wildlife-care guidance.
“Your milk is coming,” Mommy reassured her. “You don’t need to be scared.”
Jasmine continued watching carefully.
She seemed determined not to let Mommy out of her sight again.
Finally, the appropriate feeding was ready.
Mommy checked that it was prepared correctly and at a suitable temperature before offering it to Jasmine.
The transformation was immediate.
The loud screaming stopped.
Jasmine settled down and began feeding calmly.
Mommy couldn’t help laughing softly.
“Oh, Jasmine! A few minutes ago, you sounded like the whole house was in trouble.”
Jasmine ignored her.
She was far too busy enjoying her meal.
After feeding, Jasmine became much more relaxed. Mommy kept her warm and comfortable and allowed her to rest.
The little monkey looked up at Mommy as though making sure she had finally finished her work.
Mommy smiled.
“Yes, sweetheart. Mommy is here now.”
Jasmine reached out and touched her hand.
Her earlier anger had disappeared completely.
She curled up comfortably beside Mommy, making tiny peaceful sounds.
Mommy gently stroked her head.
“I know waiting was hard, little Jasmine. Next time, Mommy will try not to keep you waiting so long.”
Jasmine blinked sleepily.
Then she closed her eyes.
The evening that had begun with loud cries of “Milk, milk!” had finally become quiet and peaceful.
Jasmine had been hungry, impatient, and emotional—but all she really wanted was to know that Mommy hadn’t forgotten her.
And as Mommy watched her little girl sleep peacefully, she whispered,
“Even when I’m busy, you are always important to me.”
Jasmine gave one tiny sleepy squeak.
Then she drifted peacefully to sleep.
