Rain drizzled gently over the jungle as little Longtail sat alone on a soft bed inside the quiet hut. His big eyes were red and swollen from crying, and his tiny fingers gripped a blanket that still held his mommy’s scent. Everything felt so empty without her.
She had been there just the night before, tucking him in, singing softly, brushing his cheek with her warm hand. But now, she was gone. No goodbye. No explanation. Just silence.
“Momma…” he whispered, then louder, “Mommaaa!” His voice cracked as sharp sobs escaped him. The room echoed with his lonely cries. He rolled onto his side, curling into a ball, his long tail wrapping tightly around him like a hug he wished he had.
The hours passed slowly. Longtail didn’t eat. He didn’t play. He just waited. The wind howled through the trees, and the rain picked up, but he barely noticed. His world had stopped.
Then — a sound. Footsteps on the porch.
The door creaked open.
Longtail’s ears twitched. His heart skipped.
“Longtail?” a gentle voice called.
His head shot up. “Momma?!”
He bolted from the bed, and there she was — soaked, tired, but smiling. “I’m here, my sweet tail. I never meant to be gone so long.”
Longtail ran into her arms, hugging her tighter than ever before. Tears came again, but this time they were full of relief and joy.
“I thought I lost you,” he whispered.
She kissed his cheek. “I was just lost. But now I’m home.”
That night, Longtail curled into her arms and fell asleep to the rhythm of her heartbeat, the storm outside forgotten. His world was whole again.
