The afternoon sun hung gently above the quiet yard, but for baby monkey Tourtour, the world suddenly felt empty. His mom had just stepped away for a moment — only to prepare his milk — yet to him, it felt like she had disappeared forever.
He sat on the cool floor, small arms hugging his knees, and looked around with wide, anxious eyes. His little lips began to tremble, and within seconds, a soft whimper escaped. Then another. Then, a loud, heartbreaking cry filled the air.
“Mommy… where are you?” his tiny face seemed to say, his voice echoing through the trees. The spot where his mom had been moments ago now looked so lonely. His tail twitched nervously, his chest rising and falling as he cried harder, tears wetting the corners of his fur.
Every sound in the yard — a rustle of leaves, a chirping bird, a passing breeze — made him turn his head quickly, hoping it was her. But each time he realized it wasn’t, he cried even louder. His tiny hands reached out helplessly toward the doorway, as if his mom might walk through any second.
Inside, Mom could hear him crying, and her heart ached. She hurried as fast as she could, mixing his milk, calling softly, “Tourtour… Mommy’s coming, baby.” But he couldn’t understand; all he felt was the pain of being left behind.
When she finally returned, the moment he saw her, his cries changed — from sorrow to pure relief. He stumbled forward on his little legs, half-running, half-falling into her arms. His small hands clung tightly to her fur, face buried against her chest. The sound of her heartbeat calmed him instantly.
Mom held him close, rubbing his back gently, whispering soft words to ease his trembling. Tourtour sniffled, breathing slowly again, his sobs turning into tiny hiccups. The sadness began to fade, replaced by the warmth of being held.
A few minutes later, he was quiet — eyes half-closed, body resting peacefully in his mother’s arms. The world outside didn’t matter anymore. All that mattered was that Mom was back, holding him safe again.
In that tender embrace, Tourtour’s tears turned into calm silence — proof that love heals even the saddest little hearts.
