In the heart of an old temple, a troop of monkeys lived among the ancient stones, swinging from tree to tree and playing in the warm sunlight. Baby Sovana, a tiny, delicate monkey with wide, hopeful eyes, watched the others from a distance. She longed to be part of the troop, to feel the warmth of companionship, but she was always left out.
Today, Sovana gathered her courage and approached the group. The young monkeys were playing near a stone wall, jumping and tumbling in the dust. She took a timid step forward, hoping this time would be different.
Bunita, the dominant young female, turned her sharp gaze toward Sovana. “Why are you here?” she sneered, stepping forward with a threatening posture. The other monkeys paused, waiting for her reaction.
Sovana lowered her head, hesitating. She just wanted to play, to belong. But before she could say anything, Bunita shoved her roughly, causing her to stumble back. The others laughed and turned away, leaving her behind once again.
Sovana’s tiny body trembled with sadness. She curled up near an old temple pillar, hiding her face as tears slipped down her cheeks. The troop continued their games, their laughter echoing through the temple ruins, but Sovana remained alone.
As the sun began to set, an older female monkey, noticing the lonely baby, gently approached. She sat beside Sovana, wrapping an arm around her. For the first time that day, Sovana felt a little warmth—a small promise that kindness still existed in her world.
