Little Mato is always full of energy, but when it comes to doing things the “grown-up” way, he has a strong opinion—especially about sitting on chairs.
Today, his caretaker placed a small, safe chair out in the sunshine, hoping Mato would sit still for a moment and enjoy his snack. But the second Mato saw that no one was going to hold him, his face changed completely. His tiny eyebrows furrowed, his mouth curled into a pout, and he crossed his arms with dramatic flair.
He marched up to the chair, stared at it for a few seconds, then sharply turned away with a squeaky “Eh-eh!”—his way of saying “No way!”
Everyone watching couldn’t help but laugh. Mato wasn’t scared—just stubborn. He refused to sit unless someone was behind him, gently holding or at least touching him for comfort. It wasn’t about safety. It was about feeling loved.
So, after a few more dramatic “no-sits,” his caretaker knelt behind the chair and gave Mato’s back a gentle pat. That’s all he needed. With a tiny huff, he climbed up, sat down properly, and finally enjoyed his banana.
But he didn’t stop there. With one hand gripping the side of the chair, he kept looking back every few seconds, making sure someone was still there. Just in case.
That’s our Mato—brave in many ways, but not ready to sit like a big boy without a little love to lean on.
Sometimes, all it takes is a gentle touch to give someone the confidence to face the world—even if it’s just a tiny monkey and a chair.
