It was nearly bath time in the cozy house, and baby monkey Atong was already feeling grumpy. He hadn’t had his bottle yet, and his little tummy was growling. The air smelled clean and soapy — the usual signs that a bath was coming.
But Atong was thinking of only one thing: milk.
While the caregiver prepared warm water in the bathroom, Atong climbed onto the kitchen table. He sniffed around, hoping to find his bottle. Then, his eyes landed on a small cup filled with creamy white liquid.
He didn’t know it was shampoo.
To his hungry little eyes, it looked just like milk.
He rushed to it, licking eagerly with his tiny pink tongue.
Yuck! 😖
His face scrunched up, and he coughed softly, confused. He licked again, slower this time. Still no sweet taste. His ears dropped. He looked around in disappointment, then let out a small, heartbreaking whimper.
“Eeeeh… eehh…”
The caregiver walked in just in time to see the sad scene — Atong sitting beside the cup of shampoo, licking his lips and looking very betrayed.
“Oh no, baby!” she said, rushing over. She gently picked him up, wiping his mouth with a soft cloth. “That’s not your milk, silly boy.”
Atong clung to her, pressing his face into her neck, still whining softly. His bath was delayed for a moment while she quickly fetched his warm milk bottle.
When she brought it to him, he latched on instantly, drinking with relief. His eyes closed, and his tail curled tightly around her wrist.
He may have started the moment confused and sad, but now, in safe arms with real milk, everything felt okay again.
