The jungle was alive with the gentle hum of morning. Dewdrops sparkled on wide green leaves, and the soft chatter of birds echoed through the trees. Deep in that vibrant forest, a small monkey named Tika woke up to what seemed like just another beautiful day. She stretched her tiny arms, yawned, and looked around for her mother, as she always did.
But something was different this morning. Her mother wasnโt alone.
Next to her, nestled in her warm fur, was a new baby โ tiny, pink-faced, and sleeping peacefully. Tika blinked in confusion. She tilted her head, then crawled closer, curious. The baby monkey made a small noise, and their mother gently wrapped her tail around both of them.
Tika froze. She didnโt understand. That was her spot. That was her motherโs arm. For as long as she could remember, it was only her and Mama. Now, this little stranger had taken her place.
โMama?โ Tika squeaked softly, hoping her mother would look at her. But Mama was busy, gently grooming the newbornโs fur. She only gave Tika a brief smile before turning back to the tiny one.
Tikaโs heart sank.
For the first time, she didnโt know what to do. She watched as Mama held the baby close, humming softly in monkey chatter, the same lullabies she once sang to Tika. The new baby wriggled, tiny fingers clutching Mamaโs fur, and Mama kissed its head tenderly.
Tika felt something heavy twist inside her โ jealousy, confusion, and hurt. She didnโt understand why everything had changed overnight.
She tried to climb into Mamaโs lap, but the baby was already there. She tried to bring Mama a flower, but Mama didnโt notice. Even when she made her funniest faces โ the ones that always made Mama laugh โ her mother only smiled faintly, distracted by the new baby.
The jungle that once felt full of love now seemed lonely and strange.
Later that day, Tika wandered off to sit on her favorite branch, arms crossed, tail hanging limply. Her best friend, a young parrot named Lolo, fluttered down beside her.
โWhatโs wrong, Tika?โ Lolo asked.
Tika frowned. โMama doesnโt love me anymore. She only loves the new baby.โ
Lolo tilted his head. โThat canโt be true! Your mama loves you both.โ
โShe doesnโt even look at me,โ Tika muttered, kicking at a leaf. โAll she does is hold the baby and feed it. She used to play with me every day. Now she just says, โTika, wait,โ or โTika, not now.โโ
Lolo thought for a moment. โMaybe the baby just needs her more right now. Itโs so small.โ
But Tika didnโt want to hear it. โItโs not fair,โ she said, her voice trembling. โI was here first.โ
That night, while Mama cuddled the new baby to sleep, Tika stayed curled up at the edge of their nest. She didnโt join them like she used to. The moonlight washed over her soft brown fur, and she felt tears prick at her eyes.
โMama doesnโt need me anymore,โ she whispered.
But Mama, hearing the faint sniffles, turned her head and whispered gently, โTika, come here.โ
Tika didnโt move.
Mama sighed softly. โI know it feels strange right now,โ she said, her voice tender. โBut youโre still my little one. Youโll always be.โ
Tika stayed quiet, pretending to be asleep. She didnโt want to talk.
The next morning, Mama had to go find food, so she left the two babies โ Tika and her tiny sibling โ in the shade of a big banyan tree. โStay close,โ she warned.
As soon as Mama was gone, Tika eyed the little one. The baby monkey blinked up at her, making small cooing sounds.
Tika frowned. โYou think youโre so special, donโt you?โ she muttered. โJust because Mama always holds you.โ
The baby reached out a tiny hand, trying to grab Tikaโs tail. Tika quickly pulled it away. โNo! Donโt touch me.โ
But the baby only giggled.
Tika huffed and turned away. She didnโt want to like it โ not one bit.
A rustling sound came from nearby bushes. Tikaโs ears perked up. A snake, silent and sleek, slithered closer, its golden eyes fixed on the baby.
Tikaโs heart jumped.
The baby was too small to notice the danger. It simply cooed and waved its hands.
Tika froze. Part of her wanted to call for Mama, but another part knew she was too far away. And then, without thinking, she leapt forward โ screeching loudly, grabbing a stick, and swinging it at the snake with all her strength.
The snake hissed, startled by her brave noise, and slithered back into the grass.
Tika trembled, panting. She turned to see the baby staring at her with wide, innocent eyes. It reached out again, this time touching Tikaโs arm gently, as if saying thank you.
Tika looked down at the tiny hand and felt something shift inside her. The baby wasnโt trying to steal Mamaโs love. It just didnโt know any better. It was helpless, fragile โ and it needed her too.
When Mama returned, she saw Tika sitting close beside the baby, keeping watch. โWhat happened?โ she asked, noticing the marks on the ground.
Tika explained everything, voice trembling slightly. Mamaโs eyes filled with pride.
โMy brave girl,โ she whispered, pulling Tika close and kissing her head. โYou protected your little brother. Iโm so proud of you.โ
โBrother?โ Tika repeated softly.
โYes,โ Mama smiled. โHeโs part of our family, just like you.โ
Tika glanced at the baby, who squeaked happily, clutching at her fur. For the first time, Tika didnโt feel angry. Instead, she felt something new โ a quiet warmth spreading in her heart.
From that day forward, things began to change.
Mama still cared for the baby, but now she asked Tika to help โ bringing fruit, keeping watch, and playing gently with her little brother. The baby would giggle whenever Tika made funny faces, and soon, they became inseparable.
Sometimes, when the baby cried, Tika would stroke his tiny hand and whisper, โItโs okay. Mama will be back soon.โ
And when Mama returned, she would smile proudly at her two children โ the brave big sister and the gentle little brother โ both curled up safely in her arms.
One afternoon, Tika climbed the tallest tree with her little brother on her back. The view from the top was breathtaking โ endless green stretching to the horizon. The wind blew softly, carrying the scent of flowers and ripe fruit.
โSee that?โ Tika said, pointing. โThatโs our jungle. Itโs big and beautiful. Someday, when youโre older, weโll explore it together.โ
The baby squeaked, clapping his tiny hands.
Tika laughed. โBut youโll have to hold on tight, okay? Iโll take care of you.โ
Down below, Mama watched them, her heart full. Her first baby had grown into a protector, and her second had brought even more love into their world.
That evening, as the sun dipped low and painted the trees in golden light, Mama held both her children close. Tika nestled on one side, the baby on the other.
Mama whispered, โMy brave Tika, my sweet babies โ I love you both.โ
Tika smiled sleepily, resting her head on Mamaโs shoulder. The baby cuddled against her, and Tika gently wrapped her tail around him.
She realized then that love wasnโt something you lost when someone new came along โ it only grew bigger, wider, and stronger.
The stars began to twinkle overhead as the family drifted into peaceful sleep โ a mother, her brave little girl, and the tiny baby she once thought she couldnโt take.
Now, she couldnโt imagine life without him. ๐๐๐
