The sun was setting behind the trees, casting long shadows across the backyard. Most of the troop had settled for the evening, but one tiny voice broke the peace—a baby monkey’s scream, sharp and full of heartbreak.
It was a little son, barely a few months old, standing alone near the doorway. His tiny hands clutched the wooden frame as he stared out into the open yard. His chest heaved with every breath, and his voice cracked as he let out another scream.
“Eeeehhh! Maaahhh!”
His cries were piercing—the kind that shook your heart.
His eyes searched the yard desperately, scanning every shadow, every sound—but Mom was nowhere to be seen.
She had only gone out briefly to gather some food with the caretaker, but to him, it felt like she had disappeared forever.
He dropped to his knees, fists pounding the floor as he let out one more painful wail. It wasn’t just sadness. It was panic. Fear. Deep confusion.
A few older monkeys peeked from the corners, watching in silence. But no one could calm him.
Then—soft footsteps. A familiar scent on the breeze. His ears twitched, his crying paused, his body frozen.
And then she appeared.
Mom.
Running toward the door, arms open, worry in her eyes. “My baby!” she cried.
The moment he saw her, he sprinted forward and leapt into her arms, burying his face in her chest as if he never wanted to let go.
She hugged him tightly, whispering, “I’m here, I’m here, I didn’t leave you.”
His sobs slowly faded into hiccups. The pain was still fresh, but his heart was whole again.
Because to a baby monkey, even a few minutes without Mom… feels like forever.
