It was a quiet afternoon in the garden when baby monkey Nika began to fidget in her little blanket. She had just finished drinking milk and was sitting near her mom, her tiny hands clutching the edge of her cloth. Everything felt safe and warm — until her mom stood up.
At first, Nika blinked, thinking maybe Mom would just turn back in a moment. But when Mom started walking away to fetch more fruit, something inside the baby’s heart began to ache. Her eyes widened, her lips trembled, and suddenly the silence broke — a loud, heart-wrenching scream echoed through the air.
“Eeee! Eeee!” she cried, her tiny body shaking with panic. Her little hands reached out, waving desperately toward her mom. She didn’t understand why her protector was leaving. The feeling of being alone, even for a few seconds, filled her with pure fear.
Her cries grew louder and louder, echoing off the walls. She twisted her body, trying to crawl toward her mother, but she was still too weak and small. The world felt too big, too empty without that familiar warmth she loved.
Mom turned around immediately when she heard the desperate cry. Her heart ached — she knew that sound well. It wasn’t just hunger or discomfort; it was fear, the deep kind only a baby could feel when separated from the one they trust most.
She hurried back, and as soon as Nika saw her, the baby’s cries softened. Her tiny arms stretched out again, and Mom scooped her up gently. The moment Nika felt her mother’s fur against her cheek, her body relaxed. She pressed her face close, still sniffling softly, but the panic had melted away.
Mom whispered gentle coos, grooming Nika’s tiny head, assuring her that she was right there — and would never leave her alone for long. Nika blinked slowly, her eyes still wet with tears, and clung tightly to her mom’s chest, as if afraid she might disappear again.
Within minutes, the crying stopped completely. All that remained was the soft rhythm of breathing — mother and baby, together again. In that embrace, Nika found peace, warmth, and the only thing she ever truly needed: Mom’s love.
