The sky turned gray, and a low rumble rolled across the backyard. Tiny Luna, the baby monkey, had never heard thunder this close before. Her soft fur was already damp from the light drizzle, and the cool wind made her shiver.
She had been playing happily near the muddy corner of the yard, digging with her fingers and poking around the wet leaves. But as soon as the first raindrops started falling harder and the booming sound echoed above, Luna froze.
Her ears twitched, and her tail stiffened.
Suddenly, she lowered her head straight into the muddy soil, trembling. Her little body curled up, and she stayed motionless, trying to hide from the loud sky. Her head was practically upside down, pressed into the wet dirt as if hoping the ground would swallow her away from the storm.
From inside the house, her caregiver saw her and rushed out with a towel and umbrella.
“Oh Luna, sweet girl!” they cried.
Luna didn’t lift her head. She stayed curled, frightened and unsure.
Her caregiver gently picked her up, mud covering her cheeks and tiny nose. She clung tightly, burying her face in the warm chest she trusted most.
Back inside, Luna was dried off and wrapped in a fluffy towel. The thunder continued, but it was softer now from behind glass.
With her head poking out of the towel, Luna peeked toward the window—still worried, but now warm and safe.
She reached for her stuffed bear and held it close, the storm still echoing, but her fear already fading in the arms of someone who cared.
