Tiny Mario sat under a tree, his little body shivering. His big eyes were filled with tears.
Where was Mom?
He had been looking everywhere, but no matter how much he searched—she was gone.
His tiny chest heaved, and then—
“WAAAAH!!”
A deep, heartbreaking cry echoed through the trees.
The other monkeys stopped playing. They turned to look.
Mario sobbed harder. His tiny hands covered his face as he rocked back and forth.
Jueur ran over. “Mario, what’s wrong?!”
Mario just cried louder. His whole body trembled with sadness.
Then—soft footsteps.
A gentle hand touched his head.
Mario sniffled and looked up—MOM!!
She had returned!
His eyes widened, and in an instant—he leaped into her arms!
Mom hugged him tightly, rubbing his tiny back. “Oh, my little Mario. I would never leave you.”
Mario buried his face in her fur, whimpering softly.
The other monkeys sighed in relief.
Jueur grinned. “See? Mom always comes back!”
Mom kissed Mario’s head. “I love you, my sweet baby.”
And finally, with a deep breath, Mario’s little body relaxed. His tears stopped.
