Five-month-old baby monkey Milo was well-known for his strong-willed nature, especially when it came to bath time. On most days, Milo was an energetic, playful little monkey, hopping around the house or the garden, always finding ways to keep himself entertained. But when it came to taking a bath, it was a whole different story. Bath time was his least favorite part of the day, and it didn’t take much to trigger his dreaded crying tantrum.
One particularly bright morning, Milo’s mom decided it was time for his regular bath. They headed to the water well outside their home, a familiar spot where the routine usually took place. The well stood in the yard, surrounded by greenery and a few tall trees casting gentle shadows on the ground. The water from the well was cool and fresh, perfect for a morning bath.
As soon as they arrived at the well, Milo began to sense what was coming. His small body stiffened, and his wide, expressive eyes filled with dread. He knew that his mom was about to start the bath, and in his mind, there was nothing worse than that. His mom gently placed him on the ground next to the water, preparing everything she needed—soap, a small bucket, and a towel.
The moment his mom touched the water and began scooping it into the bucket, Milo’s patience snapped. He threw himself onto the ground, his tiny hands and feet pounding the earth, and began to cry with all the force he could muster. His shrill cries echoed through the yard as if he were calling out for help, hoping someone, anyone, would come to rescue him from this terrible fate.
Milo’s cries quickly turned into a full-blown tantrum. He kicked his legs wildly, flailing his arms as he rolled around on the ground, his tiny body writhing in protest. His face was scrunched up in frustration, and his loud wails were accompanied by sharp sobs. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he refused to let his mom give him the bath he so desperately wanted to avoid. His tiny chest heaved with each breath as the crying seizure took over, leaving him gasping between his sobs.
His mom, familiar with these outbursts, knelt beside him with a calm, reassuring voice. “Milo, it’s just a bath,” she said softly, trying to soothe him as he cried uncontrollably. But Milo wasn’t having it. His small hands clung to the earth as if trying to hold onto something solid, and he shook his head vigorously in defiance.
The water well, which was usually a place of calm and routine, had turned into a battleground. Milo continued his tantrum, rolling from side to side, his cries escalating as if each drop of water that touched him was unbearable. His body twisted in frustration, and at one point, he even let out a series of sharp screeches, his voice rising with each passing second. His little body shook violently, as if the very idea of getting wet was more than he could handle.
Seeing Milo’s extreme reaction, his mom decided to pause and give him a moment to calm down. She patiently sat next to him, waiting for the storm to pass. Milo’s crying seizure continued for a few more minutes, with his tiny form quivering and trembling on the ground, but slowly, the intensity began to fade. His loud sobs turned into softer whimpers, though his body still shuddered with each breath.
After some time, Milo’s energy began to drain. Exhausted from his tantrum, he finally lay still on the ground, his face red and streaked with tears. His mom took this opportunity to gently scoop him up in her arms, cradling him close to her chest. Despite his earlier protests, Milo clung to his mom, finding comfort in her warmth. She whispered softly to him, stroking his tiny he
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, Milo’s cries died down completely. He sniffled quietly, his face pressed against his mom’s shoulder, too tired to fight anymore. His mom, patient as ever, wiped away his tears and decided to let him rest before attempting the bath again.
Though bath time was never easy for Milo, his mom knew that with time, he would grow used to it. For now, though, Milo had won the battle. He may not have escaped his bath forever, but he had certainly delayed it with his dramatic tantrum at the water well.
