It was a calm morning in the yard, with the first rays of sunlight gently warming the earth. Everything was peaceful, but baby monkey Leduc, just 1 month old, didn’t feel the calm around him. His tiny body clung tightly to the trunk of an old, dried tree, and he cried out as if his world had shattered. His little arms hugged the rough bark, seeking something to hold onto, something to replace the comforting warmth of his mother, who had just left his side for a moment.
Leduc’s soft, baby-like wails filled the air, growing louder with every passing second. He looked so small and vulnerable, his big, innocent eyes filled with confusion. Why had his mom left him? Where had she gone? His mind, still too young to understand, could only react with fear and sadness. The dried tree, which normally stood unnoticed in the yard, was now Leduc’s only companion in this moment of panic. He pressed his tiny face against the bark, sobbing as if the tree could offer him some sense of security.
His mother had only gone to get him a piece of watermelon—a treat that he loved—but for little Leduc, that short absence felt like an eternity. His small, fluffy body trembled as he cried, his cries sharp and desperate, cutting through the otherwise peaceful morning. His tiny fingers gripped the tree bark tightly, as if the dried wood could somehow bring his mother back to him.
The yard, usually full of life and curiosity for a young monkey like Leduc, now felt lonely and overwhelming. The breeze gently rustled the leaves, and the distant sounds of the waking village could be heard, but Leduc noticed none of it. All he could think about was his mom’s absence. His heart pounded in his tiny chest as he clung to the tree for dear life, his body tense with worry.
After what felt like an eternity to the tiny monkey, his mother finally returned. She approached him softly, carrying a fresh slice of watermelon in her hands. Her heart ached a little as she saw her baby clinging so desperately to the dried tree, his little face streaked with tears, his cries now quieter but still full of sadness. She understood how confusing the world must be for him, so new and so full of things he didn’t yet understand.
Seeing her approach, Leduc’s cries grew softer, turning into little sniffles, though he didn’t immediately let go of the tree. He looked at her with wide, teary eyes, as if unsure whether to trust that she was really back. His tiny body still trembled, his grip on the tree loosened but not yet completely gone.
With gentle hands, his mom scooped him up from the tree, pulling him into her warm embrace. Leduc instantly buried his face in her fur, his cries melting into soft whimpers as he held on to her tightly. His tiny arms wrapped around her neck as if he was afraid she might leave again. His mom kissed his head softly, whispering comforting sounds, letting him know that everything was okay now. She was here, and she wasn’t going anywhere.
Slowly, Leduc’s little body relaxed, feeling the familiar comfort of his mom’s warmth and presence. His cries had faded completely now, replaced by soft sniffles. His mom, sensing that he was finally calm, gently brought the slice of watermelon to his mouth. Leduc hesitated for a moment, his eyes still watery, but the sweet smell of the fruit began to distract him from his earlier distress.
With a little encouragement, Leduc took a small bite, his face still pressed against his mother’s fur. The taste of the fresh watermelon seemed to cheer him up bit by bit. His tiny hands reached for the slice, his grip still a little shaky, but he nibbled at the fruit, slowly calming down with every bite. His mom stayed close, holding him as he ate, her soft humming filling the air as she reassured him with her presence.
As the sun climbed higher into the sky, the yard once again felt peaceful. Leduc, now with a belly full of watermelon and his mother’s arms around him, was finally at ease. The earlier confusion and fear had faded away, replaced by the simple comfort of being with his mom. His small body snuggled closer to her, his eyelids growing heavy as the warmth of the morning sun and his mother’s love lulled him into a gentle nap.
