Baby A Tong was not in the mood to practice walking. His little body still wanted the comfort of being carried, pressed close to his mom’s chest. But that morning, Mom had a different plan—she gently placed him on the ground and urged him forward, determined to teach him how to walk on his own.
At first, A Tong froze. His tiny legs wobbled, his eyes wide with resistance. Then, as Mom nudged him to take a step, his frustration exploded. He let out a loud, sharp cry, his face twisting with anger. His small fists clenched, and he stomped clumsily, shaking his head as if to shout, “No, Mom! I don’t want this!”
Mom, calm and patient, encouraged him softly, guiding his fragile steps across the floor. But every attempt made A Tong scream louder. His tantrum grew, his little body trembling with stubbornness. To him, walking felt like punishment—why use his legs when Mom’s arms were so much safer?
Still, she didn’t give up. With gentle persistence, she helped him balance, letting him wobble and fall but always lifting him back up. His angry cries slowly turned into frustrated whimpers, then into surprised silence when he managed a shaky step forward on his own.
In that moment, the anger in his eyes softened. He looked up at his mom, still upset but a little proud. Though the training had filled him with emotion, he had taken his first real steps.
That evening, as he rested in his mom’s embrace, A Tong still pouted, but deep inside, he had learned something new. Even through his angry cries, his mom’s love had guided him—and with each step, he was growing stronger.
