The morning sun had barely risen over the forest when Pregnant Mom stepped out of the wooden shelter, moving slowly, her belly heavy and her breaths short. She had been strong for so long, taking care of her little family with quiet courage, but today something was different. Her face looked tense, her movements unsteady, and her tail drooped low behind her. Even the gentle wind seemed to hesitate as it brushed past her.
CUTIS, the loyal older brother, was grooming Baby Monkey when he noticed it. His hands froze mid-stroke, his ears perked up, and he stared intensely toward the doorway. Something wasn’t right. Mom wasn’t herself—she wasn’t walking with her usual grace. She wasn’t even trying to snack on her favorite leaves, which she normally grabbed the moment she woke up.
Baby Monkey blinked up curiously at CUTIS, then followed his gaze toward their mother. His little eyes widened. “Eek?” he chirped softly, confused. Mom looked uncomfortable, maybe even in pain. He hopped to his feet and raced toward her tiny legs, gently tugging her fur as if to ask, What’s wrong, Mommy? Why aren’t you smiling?
Mom tried her best to reassure them with a soft grunt, but the strain in her voice gave her away. CUTIS stepped forward immediately, his protective instincts flaring. He circled around her, checking her belly, sniffing her hands, watching her face closely. The baby inside her seemed to be kicking more forcefully than usual, and each movement made Mom pause and brace herself. Something was definitely happening.
CUTIS tapped Baby Monkey with his tail, signaling him to stay close. The little one obediently clung to CUTIS’s side while still keeping his worried gaze fixed on Mom. The two siblings followed her as she slowly limped toward the shady area near the mango tree—her resting spot when she needed comfort.
But today, comfort didn’t come.
Mom lowered herself onto the ground, wincing as she tried to find a position that didn’t hurt. CUTIS immediately rushed in, grabbing handfuls of dry leaves to spread beneath her, as if cushioning the earth might ease her pain. Baby Monkey, confused and frightened, copied him, picking up tiny sticks and placing them near her belly—completely useless, but full of love.
Mom let out a deep groan, and both of them froze.
CUTIS’s heart pounded. He had seen Mom tired before, hungry, moody, irritated—but this was different. This was fear. And CUTIS, though brave, didn’t know what to do. Baby Monkey climbed onto Mom’s shoulder trembling, nuzzling her cheek, begging her with soft cries to feel better.
The forest animals sensed something was happening. A few curious monkeys perched above in the branches, watching with wide eyes. The cicadas fell silent. Even the air felt heavier.
CUTIS glanced around desperately, searching for help. Dad wasn’t here—he had gone far out to gather food, and they had no idea when he would return. CUTIS considered running to look for him, but he couldn’t leave Mom alone in this condition. What if something happened? What if the baby inside was coming earlier than expected? He pressed closer to her, gently placing his hand on her belly.
Baby Monkey followed, copying CUTIS like he always did. When Mom groaned again, the little one nearly burst into tears. He grabbed onto CUTIS’s chest, confused, scared, unsure of why the world suddenly felt so different.
CUTIS wrapped his arms around Baby Monkey protectively, whispering soft chirrs to calm him. He forced himself to stay strong, even though deep inside, uncertainty gnawed at him.
After a few minutes, Mom tried to stand up, but her legs shook uncontrollably. CUTIS rushed forward, supporting her weight with all his strength. Baby Monkey clung to her back, trying to help in his own tiny way. But Mom collapsed gently back to the ground, breathing heavily.
CUTIS panicked for a moment. Then something changed—Mom began grooming Baby Monkey’s tail, slowly, methodically. She was comforting him while trying to calm herself. CUTIS sat beside them, holding her hand, letting her feel his presence.
Mom’s breathing was rough, but steady. She wasn’t giving up.
CUTIS took a deep breath and made a decision: he needed help. Slowly, he nudged Baby Monkey to stay close to Mom. “Watch her,” his body language said. Baby Monkey nodded, sitting loyally by her side, eyes big and frightened.
With one last glance, CUTIS sprinted into the forest.
The leaves rustled behind him as he darted from tree to tree, calling out for his troop members. He finally found two familiar females gathering fruit, and he screeched loudly, signaling distress. They followed him immediately, understanding the urgency. In moments like this, even rival monkeys dropped their conflicts; nature taught them to unite when a mother and unborn baby were at risk.
CUTIS led the helpers back to Mom, who was now lying on her side while Baby Monkey stroked her cheek with his tiny hand. He had tears in his eyes but stayed strong, just like CUTIS had taught him.
The female monkeys approached gently, grooming her fur, checking her belly, offering comfort in the only language they knew. CUTIS sat beside Mom, pressing his forehead against hers.
Minutes felt like hours.
Finally, Mom’s breathing steadied. Her pain wasn’t gone, but it was no longer overwhelming. The helpers stayed with her, forming a protective circle. CUTIS watched every movement, every breath, ready to jump in if she needed anything.
Baby Monkey curled beside her belly, humming soft little sounds to keep her company. “Eek… eek…” His confusion hadn’t disappeared, but now he felt safer. CUTIS was here. The helpers were here. Mom wasn’t alone.
As the sun lowered and shadows stretched across the forest floor, Dad finally returned, rushing toward them the second he saw the scene. He immediately dropped the fruits he carried and hurried to Mom’s side, touching her gently, inspecting her with deep worry in his eyes.
Mom looked up at him weakly but comforted. The family was together again.
CUTIS and Baby Monkey leaned against Mom, one on each side, forming a warm, protective trio. They still didn’t fully understand what problem Mom had faced—or what challenges were still coming—but they were ready.
Together.
And when the baby inside finally arrived in the coming days, strong and healthy, they would remember this moment—the day CUTIS and Baby Monkey learned what love looked like when fear tried to break it.
A day when confusion turned into courage, and courage turned into family.
