Chamroeun, the tiny baby monkey with the biggest heart, heard his mommy’s voice echo through the yard:
“Chamroeun! Come drink milk, baby!”
At that moment, his eyes lit up. His tiny feet shifted, then—determined and full of excitement—Chamroeun stood tall on two little legs, wobbling just slightly. He had been practicing this for days, but now? Now it felt important. Mom was calling. Milk was waiting.
He took a step. Then another. Faster now—tiny legs rushing, arms flailing slightly for balance, tail lifted high like a little flag of pride.
“Chamroeun! Look at you!” Mom gasped in joy, arms wide open.
But Chamroeun didn’t slow down. His heart was beating fast, not from fear, but from something new—confidence. The soft grass brushed his feet as he ran, tiny mouth open with happy squeaks. His eyes were locked on Mom’s loving face and the bottle she held close to her chest.
He reached her and leapt into her arms, breathless but glowing.
Mom kissed his forehead and cradled him gently. “You’re such a big boy now!”
Chamroeun clung to her, wrapping his arms tightly around her neck before finally settling down to nurse. The warmth of the milk was nothing compared to the warmth in his heart.
Just minutes before, he was only a baby learning how to walk.
Now?
He was a proud, brave little monkey running to his mommy with purpose.
And all he had wanted… was her love and the taste of home in that bottle.
