Little Tauch, a tiny newborn monkey just about a month old, lay on the soft rug in the center of the living room. His fluffy brown fur shimmered under the soft daylight filtering in from the window. Though still so small, he was full of energy and determination, especially when it came to getting his mom’s attention—especially when he was hungry! Today was one of those moments. Tauch’s round, expressive eyes were wide open as he squirmed around, feeling that familiar, empty sensation in his tiny belly. His mom had stepped into the next room, busy with a few quick tasks, but to Tauch, she may as well have been a world away. He began with a few small, pitiful whimpers, hoping to coax her back. But as the seconds ticked by and the hunger became stronger, those quiet sounds quickly grew into louder cries. His tiny voice filled the room, and soon he was moaning and sniffling with all his strength.
Then, with a surprising show of baby strength, Tauch attempted to crawl. However, his coordination wasn’t quite there yet, and instead of inching forward like he wanted, he found himself scooting backward! The rug, warm and soft beneath his belly, seemed to tease him, as every time he tried to inch forward, his little paws would push him in the opposite direction. Frustrated and more determined than ever, he let out an even louder cry. Each little backward scoot made him more agitated, his moans growing into an adorable tantrum as he kept trying to reach his mom by moving—just not quite in the right direction.
Finally, his mom reappeared, her face softening as she saw her little Tauch struggling on the rug. She knew he was upset and hungry, and she moved quickly, her gentle hands scooping him up with the tenderness only a mother could show. As she lifted him, his cries reached a peak, filling the house with the loudest baby monkey wails imaginable. To anyone else, it might have seemed as though Tauch was in terrible distress, but his mom knew that he was simply making his hunger very well known. Even as she held him close, he continued to moan, his little mouth opening and closing in search of the milk he so badly wanted.
She held him close to her chest and soothed him with a quiet hum, her hand softly stroking his back. Despite his frustration, Tauch started to calm down a little, his cries softening as he realized his mom was there to feed him. With practiced ease, she prepared his milk and held the bottle to his tiny, quivering lips. The second the bottle touched his mouth, Tauch latched on eagerly, drinking the milk in slow, hungry gulps. His eyes closed as he nursed, his little body relaxing completely in his mother’s arms. The world, which only moments ago seemed so chaotic and unfair, had finally been set right. He let out a few soft grunts as he drank, his small hands gripping his mom’s fingers for comfort.
As he drank, his mom continued to hum softly, smiling down at her precious little boy. She watched him with warm affection, marveling at his determined nature and strong little personality. Even in these early days, Tauch was already showing a spirited side. Despite his tiny size and newness to the world, he wasn’t afraid to demand what he needed, and he wasn’t shy about expressing himself loudly and clearly.
As Tauch finished his bottle, his little body went limp with satisfaction. He let out a final, contented sigh, his earlier frustrations completely forgotten. His mom held him close for a few more moments, savoring the peace that had settled over them. She stroked his back, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing as he drifted into a gentle sleep.
The rug lay quiet once again, the tiny tracks of his backward crawl still imprinted on its surface—a reminder of his small but mighty adventure. For his mom, every moment with Tauch, from his loudest cries to his most peaceful sighs, was precious. She knew that one day, he would be strong and independent, his adventurous spirit taking him far beyond the edges of the rug. But for now, he was her little baby, content and safe in her arms, his tummy full and his heart at ease.
