Baby monkey Lieur was having one of those mornings when she wanted nothing except to be carried by Daddy. The moment Daddy picked her up, Lieur wrapped her tiny arms around him and settled comfortably against his chest. She looked completely satisfied, as if she had decided that Daddy’s arms were the only place she wanted to be all day.
But Daddy needed to put her down for a moment.
When he gently placed Lieur on the soft mat, she immediately looked up at him with wide, surprised eyes. For a second, she stayed completely still. Then her little face changed.
“Eeeee! Eeee!” Lieur began crying in a loud, dramatic voice.
Daddy looked at her and smiled. “Oh, Lieur! Daddy only put you down for a moment.”
That was not what Lieur wanted to hear.
She stretched both arms toward him and began making an even louder series of unhappy little cries. She rocked her tiny body forward, clearly demanding to be picked up again. Whenever Daddy reached toward her, she became excited, but when he paused to make sure she was settled safely, Lieur cried again as though the whole world had betrayed her.
“My goodness, what a big tantrum!” Daddy said gently.
Lieur answered with another dramatic cry.
Her tiny eyebrows seemed to pull together, and she looked at Daddy as if she were saying, “Why did you put me down? I was perfectly happy up there!”
Daddy stayed calm and close beside her. He didn’t tease her or leave her alone. Instead, he made sure the area was safe and comfortable, then offered his hand for her to hold. Lieur immediately grabbed one of his fingers with her tiny hand.
Her crying became quieter.
Daddy stroked her gently and spoke in a soft voice. “Daddy is right here. You’re safe, little one.”
Lieur stared at him for a few seconds. Then she made one final dramatic little squeak, almost as if she wanted to make sure Daddy understood how unhappy she had been.
Daddy laughed softly.
“You really wanted to stay in Daddy’s arms, didn’t you?”
Lieur reached both arms toward him again.
Seeing that she had settled, Daddy carefully picked her up and held her close for a little while. Lieur immediately pressed her face against him. Her dramatic crying disappeared almost instantly, replaced by tiny peaceful sounds.
Daddy gently rubbed her back. “There you go, sweetheart. You can have some cuddles.”
Lieur relaxed completely.
After a few minutes, Daddy carefully returned her to the soft mat, this time staying right beside her. Lieur looked at him suspiciously, as though remembering what had happened earlier. But when Daddy kept his hand nearby, she remained calm.
The little tantrum was over.
Lieur had simply wanted reassurance, closeness, and a little extra attention that morning. And Daddy was happy to give her plenty of gentle comfort while helping her feel safe on her own soft space.
Soon, the tiny monkey’s eyes became sleepy. She curled up on the blanket beside Daddy’s hand, finally peaceful after her big morning drama.
