The house was filled with sunshine and the smell of breakfast, but tiny baby monkey Chamroeun was not in the mood to enjoy any of it. He had one mission this morning: stop Mom from leaving.
As soon as he saw her put on her work shoes, his eyes widened in panic.
“EHHHH! EHHHH! NOOO MAAAMAAA!!” he screamed, his voice echoing off the walls.
He ran to her as fast as his little feet could carry him, arms flailing, tears already falling. He threw himself onto her leg and clung like a baby koala, refusing to let go.
Mom bent down to comfort him. “Chamroeun, baby, I’ll be back soon. Just a few hours, okay?”
But he wasn’t having it.
His cries turned dramatic—head thrown back, fists pounding the floor, body rolling like he was in a full stage performance. He didn’t just cry—he wailed, as if she were leaving forever.
Dad tried to pick him up, but Chamroeun pushed him away with tiny tantrum slaps. “Nooo! Want Mamaaa!”
Finally, Mom sat down with him in her lap. She wiped his tears and gave him kisses on both cheeks. “You’re my brave boy, okay? I’ll come home and we’ll cuddle, I promise.”
She handed him his favorite blanket and a tiny picture of them together. “Keep this with you while I’m gone.”
Chamroeun sniffled, looked at the photo, and slowly calmed down. His sobs turned into little hiccups.
With one last tight hug, Mom stood and waved goodbye.
Chamroeun watched the door, teary-eyed, holding the picture close.
He was still sad—but deep down, he knew she always came back.
And until then, he’d keep her memory close to his little heart. 🐒❤️📸
