Poor baby monkey Jackie clung to the rough tree bark with trembling hands as fear swallowed his tiny chest.
He had been placed there in a moment of careless anger, his mother turning away before he understood what was happening.
The ground felt suddenly far away beneath his dangling feet, and panic rushed through every breath.
Jackie screamed for her, his voice cracking as his grip slipped against the cold bark.
Leaves rustled above him while his small body shook with shock and confusion.
He was too young to understand discipline, only the sharp sting of being left alone in a place that suddenly became terrifying.
Below, the world looked huge and unsafe.
His cries bounced through the branches, thin and desperate.
A caregiver heard the sound and ran toward the tree, heart racing at the sight of the tiny body trapped above the ground.
Gentle hands reached up slowly, speaking comfort into Jackie’s fear.
He flinched at first, too frightened to trust anything but his own scream.
Then the warmth of safety wrapped around him as he was lifted down into waiting arms.
Jackie clung tightly, sobbing against a steady chest that promised he would not fall again.
His anger burst out then, small fists striking in helpless protest at the mother who had left him behind.
Yet beneath the rage lived only fear and longing to be held and kept safe.
The caregiver rocked him softly, wiping dirt and tears from his face.
Jackie’s breathing slowed little by little as the shaking eased.
Above them the tree stood silent, the place of his brief terror now empty again.
He was safe now, but the memory of being left lingered in his tight grip.
He was safe now, but fear still trembled inside.
Love stayed while terror faded slowly.
