Tiny newborn baby Aba was about to experience something very new—his first gentle clean-up with water. His little fur was messy, and his caregiver wanted him to feel fresh and comfortable. But Aba, still so young and unused to the world, was too afraid of the water. The moment a few drops touched his body, his eyes grew wide, and he began to squirm nervously, his cries filling the room.
The basin was prepared with warm water, safe and soothing, but Aba didn’t know this yet. To him, the sensation of wetness felt strange and scary. His little hands reached out desperately, clinging to anything nearby, as though he wanted to escape. He shook his head, his tiny voice breaking into squeaks and whimpers.
His caregiver moved slowly, speaking softly to calm him. “It’s okay, Aba… you’re safe,” the voice whispered. Gently, one hand held him steady while the other cupped warm water and let it flow softly over his tiny fur. With each motion, Aba trembled, but gradually, he began to understand that no harm would come to him.
The cloth wiped away the dirt, leaving his fur cleaner with every stroke. His cries softened into low whines, then finally into small, tired breaths. The warmth of the towel wrapped around him afterward gave him comfort, reminding him that he wasn’t alone. His caregiver cuddled him close, letting him know he was loved and protected.
By the end, Aba no longer looked as terrified. Instead, he gazed up with wide, innocent eyes, as though realizing that water was not an enemy but something that could bring him comfort and care. It was a small step, but an important one for a newborn learning about the world for the very first time.
