It was a damp, cloudy day in the middle of the rainy season, and the rice field stretched far and wide, half-submerged under a sheet of water. Baby monkey Milo, now a plump and lively five months old, clung to his mom as they walked down the muddy path. The waterlogged fields mirrored the gray sky, making everything look a little strange and intimidating. For young Milo, who was used to playing on dry ground, the sight of water rippling through the plants made his heart race with nerves.
Milo’s mom knew that Milo needed to get comfortable with the natural surroundings, including the flooded rice fields during this season. She gently patted his back, her soft eyes reassuring him as she lowered him to the ground, encouraging him to explore. But as soon as his tiny feet touched the cold, wet earth, Milo froze in place, his eyes wide with fear.
“No, no, no!” Milo’s little brain seemed to scream. His heart pounded as he looked around, taking in the strange sights, the dark, murky water surrounding the green stalks of rice, and the occasional ripple made by a tiny fish darting past. He took one shaky step, and the splash of water startled him so much that he stumbled back, reaching out desperately for his mom.
As if his fear had reached a breaking point, Milo threw his head back and let out a loud, piercing cry. His tiny hands waved in the air, and he stomped his little feet in protest, splashing water in all directions. “Eeeee! Eeeee!” he screamed, each cry louder than the last. His mom watched him patiently, staying close but giving him space, knowing that her baby needed to adapt to these new experiences.
But Milo didn’t feel brave at all. His cries grew louder, carrying through the rice field, startling a few small birds into flight. His shrieks echoed over the water, mingling with the sound of distant raindrops starting to tap against the surface. Milo turned his face up, seeing raindrops plop onto his nose and cheeks, only adding to his confusion. Every sensation felt overwhelming; the ground was wet and squishy, the air heavy and damp, and his mom wasn’t holding him like she usually did.
Mom, however, wasn’t fazed by his cries. She crouched down beside him, giving him gentle touches and small pats of encouragement. She reached her arms out, coaxing him forward, but Milo was hesitant. He sat on his bottom, his face scrunched up in worry, gripping a muddy clump of earth as though it were the only thing keeping him safe.
He cried again, an even louder wail, his mouth wide open, showing his tiny baby teeth. The rain picked up a little, a soft drizzle beginning to soak his fur, making him look even smaller and more vulnerable. But instead of rushing to scoop him up, his mom gently nudged him forward again, her quiet strength guiding him.
Realizing that his mom wasn’t going to let him escape this experience so easily, Milo gave a few hesitant sniffs and looked around. He noticed a leaf floating nearby, bobbing gently on the water’s surface, and his cries quieted for a moment. His natural curiosity began to awaken, although he still felt shaky. He stretched one arm out, poking the leaf, watching as it drifted away, then reached out to poke at the muddy water again, watching the ripples form.
A soft glimmer of courage began to spark within him, and with his mom’s watchful eyes upon him, Milo took a few small, wobbly steps. His fur was damp, his heart still pounding, but he was beginning to trust that maybe this flooded field wasn’t as terrifying as it seemed. With each step, he grew a little braver, and though he let out a few more whimpering cries, his mom stayed close, calming him with her presence.
Eventually, Milo managed to walk a few steps on the wet, squishy ground, his nerves slowly giving way to a bit of excitement as he explored this watery new world. Though he hadn’t forgotten his fear, he was beginning to feel a touch of pride. For the first time, the rice field didn’t seem so vast and scary—it was a place he could explore, knowing his mom was right there beside him.
As the rain eased and the clouds parted just a little, Milo glanced back at his mom with a mix of gratitude and a newfound confidence. The flooded field, which had once seemed overwhelming, was now a part of his little world, a world where he knew he’d always have his mom by his side, guiding him, encouraging him, and giving him the courage to explore.
