Little Cheekie had no idea that his peaceful morning was about to turn into a dramatic battle with bath time.
The tiny baby monkey had been resting comfortably when Daddy prepared everything he needed to gently clean him. A safe, warm area was ready, along with clean towels and a gentle, animal-appropriate shampoo suitable for Cheekie’s care. Daddy moved slowly because he knew that a young baby could easily become frightened by unfamiliar sensations.
“Come on, little Cheekie,” Daddy said softly. “We’re just going to get you nice and clean.”
Cheekie looked at him with curious eyes.
For a moment, everything seemed perfectly fine.
Then Daddy carefully began cleaning his fur.
Cheekie’s expression changed instantly.
His little mouth opened wide.
“EEEEEEEE!”
Daddy stopped for a second.
“Oh! What’s that?”
Cheekie answered with an even louder scream.
“Eeee! Eeee! Eeee!”
His tiny hands waved through the air, and his little body became restless. He looked at Daddy as though he had been completely betrayed.
Daddy smiled gently.
“You really don’t like this, do you?”
Cheekie certainly didn’t.
Every time Daddy carefully cleaned another small section of fur, Cheekie protested with another dramatic cry. His voice was surprisingly powerful for such a tiny baby.
Daddy continued speaking calmly.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m right here. You don’t need to be scared.”
He made sure the water was comfortably warm and kept the cleaning process gentle and brief. He was especially careful around Cheekie’s face, making sure shampoo stayed away from his eyes, nose, and mouth.
But Cheekie wasn’t interested in cooperating.
He kept crying.
“Eeeee! Eeeee!”
Daddy paused whenever Cheekie became especially distressed, giving him a moment to settle before continuing. He didn’t want to frighten or force the baby. The goal was simply to clean him safely while helping him feel secure.
Cheekie looked toward Daddy’s face between his cries.
Daddy gently reassured him.
“Look at me, little guy. Daddy is here.”
Cheekie stared at him.
For a few seconds, he became quiet.
Daddy smiled.
“See? We’re okay.”
But as soon as Daddy resumed cleaning, Cheekie remembered that he was supposed to be unhappy.
“EEEEEEE!”
Daddy laughed softly.
“Oh, you remembered!”
Cheekie continued his loud complaint, waving his little hands as if giving Daddy a very serious lecture.
Despite his protests, Daddy remained patient. He gently rinsed Cheekie’s fur so no shampoo remained and carefully supported the tiny monkey throughout the process.
Finally, Daddy said, “All done!”
Cheekie stopped.
The room suddenly became quiet.
Daddy carefully lifted him from the washing area and wrapped him in a soft, warm towel. He gently patted his fur dry rather than rubbing too hard.
Cheekie looked exhausted.
His dramatic little face had gone from angry to confused, and then from confused to sleepy.
Daddy held him securely and whispered, “There you go, my little boy. You survived bath time.”
Cheekie rested against Daddy’s chest.
His tiny fingers slowly relaxed.
Daddy gently stroked his back while checking that he was warm, dry, and comfortable.
“You were very brave,” he whispered. “Even though you screamed the whole time.”
Cheekie made one tiny complaining sound.
Daddy smiled.
“Yes, yes. I heard you.”
The little monkey tucked his face into the towel.
A few minutes earlier, Cheekie’s cries had filled the entire room. Now he was quiet, warm, and beginning to feel safe again.
Daddy knew that young monkeys could become frightened during unfamiliar handling, so patience was important. Cleaning should always be appropriate for the animal’s age and needs, and if a baby becomes unusually distressed, a qualified veterinarian or wildlife-care professional should be consulted.
Cheekie’s eyes slowly closed.
Daddy carried him to his clean, secure resting place and gently settled him down.
“Rest now, little Cheekie.”
Cheekie opened one sleepy eye and looked at Daddy.
Then he closed it again.
The bath was finally over.
His fur was clean, his body was warm, and his little heart had calmed down.
Daddy smiled as he watched him sleeping peacefully.
“Maybe tomorrow,” he whispered, “you won’t scream quite so loudly.”
Cheekie gave a tiny sleepy squeak.
Daddy laughed softly.
Apparently, Cheekie wasn’t making any promises.
