Tiny baby Roro was having a hard morning.
He had just woken up, yawned with his soft fuzzy cheeks puffed out, and crawled over to Mom with one thing in mind—milk time. His tummy rumbled, and his little mouth made soft “eh-eh” sounds as he reached up with both hands.
But Mom was busy.
She was grooming one of the older babies, focused on untangling fur and swatting away bugs. When Roro tugged at her, she gently nudged him aside.
“Not now, Roro,” she mumbled.
At first, he was just confused. He blinked and reached again—surely she didn’t see him the first time?
But then she pushed his hands away a second time.
That’s when his face crumpled.
One deep breath… and then it came:
“WAAAHHHHHH!!”
A heartbreaking cry that echoed through the nursery like a siren. Roro sobbed so hard his whole body shook. He flopped on his back, arms and legs kicking wildly, little fists pounding the soft blanket.
Mom turned in surprise, guilt rushing in like a wave. “Roro!” she gasped, rushing over.
But the damage was done.
Roro rolled to the side, still crying, his face red and wet with tears. He didn’t want hugs anymore—he wanted what he thought he lost: love, comfort… milk.
The other baby monkeys peeked around the corner.
“He’s so sad,” whispered Emma.
“I’d cry too if I got rejected like that,” added Tauch.
Mom scooped Roro up gently, rocking him close. “I’m so sorry, baby. Mommy didn’t mean to ignore you.”
She let him nurse softly, and Roro’s cries slowly melted into sniffles, then silence.
Because sometimes, all it takes is a little love to heal a baby monkey’s broken heart.
