The golden morning sun filtered through the thick canopy, casting rays of warmth across the forest floor. Dewdrops sparkled like tiny diamonds on leaves, and the air carried the soft songs of birds greeting a new day. Amid this peaceful scene sat a tiny baby monkey named Lina, a sweet, fragile little thing with wide round eyes and a tail that curled like a question mark. She was the heart of the troop—playful, curious, and impossibly adorable.
But today, something felt different.
Today, Lina seemed quiet.
CUTIS, the young monkey who adored her more than anything, noticed it immediately. While the other monkeys chased, swung, and wrestled, Lina sat alone on a fallen log, her little fingers tracing circles in the dirt.
CUTIS approached with gentle steps.
“Lina?” he whispered. “What’s wrong? Why are you sitting here all by yourself?”
Lina looked up, eyes glossy with emotion, and for a moment CUTIS felt his heart twist. This wasn’t the wild, energetic baby who always climbed onto his head or stole fruit from his hands. She looked… sad.
“CUTIS,” she murmured in her tiny voice, “Mama is going far today. She has to travel with the other big monkeys to find new food. She said I must stay here with the troop.”
CUTIS blinked. “That’s normal. Your mama always comes back.”
“But what if she doesn’t?” Lina whispered, hugging her little knees tightly. “What if she gets lost? What if she forgets me?”
CUTIS sat beside her immediately and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Lina… she would NEVER forget you. You are her whole world.”
But Lina shook her head. “I want to go with her.”
CUTIS felt her trembling and sighed softly. He knew that baby monkeys sometimes grew anxious when their mothers had to join the search parties. But for Lina, who was unusually sensitive and deeply attached to her mama, this felt like the end of the world.
He whispered again, “Baby monkey… please stay. Stay where it’s safe. Stay with us.”
Lina sniffled, wiping her little nose with the back of her hand. “But I’ll miss her.”
CUTIS pulled her even closer. “And she’ll miss you too. But she trusts us to watch over you. She trusts ME.”
Lina finally looked him in the eyes. “You promise to stay with me the whole day?”
CUTIS nodded proudly. “I promise. I’ll be your big brother today.”
The Reunion Morning
The troop gathered around, preparing for the long journey. Mama Monkey came rushing toward Lina, her fur glowing in the morning sun. She scooped her baby into her arms, covering her with kisses, and Lina clung to her desperately.
“Mama… don’t go,” Lina whispered weakly.
Mama hugged her even tighter. “My little one, I will return before sunset. I promise. But today, CUTIS and the others will keep you safe. You must stay.”
Lina buried her face in Mama’s neck. “I don’t like staying…”
Mama gently lifted Lina’s face. “My brave girl… you are growing. And brave girls learn to wait.”
CUTIS watched, his chest tightening. He wished he could take Lina’s fear away instantly, but these were feelings she had to experience.
Mama looked at CUTIS and nodded. “Take good care of her.”
“I will,” he answered firmly.
And then the moment came.
Mama set Lina down softly, kissed her forehead, and stepped back.
Lina’s tiny hand reached out. “Mama…”
But Mama had to go.
CUTIS put his hands gently on Lina’s shoulders. “It’s okay. I’m here.”
The search party disappeared into the forest, and the leaves rustled softly in their wake.
Lina stood frozen, staring at the path until they vanished completely. When she finally turned around, her eyes were full of tears again.
“CUTIS… I feel lonely.”
A Day of Distractions
CUTIS smiled warmly and tapped her nose. “Then we have to keep you busy!”
First, he brought her to a small berry bush. Lina perked up a little when she saw the bright red berries.
“Try it,” CUTIS encouraged.
She took one and popped it into her mouth. Her cheeks puffed instantly from the sweetness. “Mmm!”
CUTIS laughed. “See? Already better.”
Next, he brought her to a low tree branch perfect for baby monkeys. Lina climbed slowly at first, glancing back to make sure CUTIS was watching. When she slipped, he caught her immediately.
“You’re safe,” he reassured.
Soon she was swinging, giggling again, her earlier fear fading—at least for the moment.
Then CUTIS came up with a game: Monkey Hide-and-Seek.
“Okay, YOU hide. I’ll count!”
Lina rushed behind a big rock, her giggles echoing like tiny bells. Of course CUTIS found her instantly—her tail was sticking out—but he pretended not to see her until she burst out laughing.
“Again! Again!” she cheered.
They played until Lina grew tired and snuggled beside CUTIS on a warm patch of grass.
“CUTIS,” she whispered, “thank you.”
“Any time, baby monkey.”
She hesitated, then asked, “Do you think Mama’s thinking about me?”
CUTIS placed a hand on her tiny back. “Every second.”
The Waiting Hours
As the afternoon sun sank lower, Lina began growing anxious again. The shadows grew longer, and she looked toward the forest repeatedly.
“What if something happened?” she whispered.
CUTIS shook his head. “Nothing happened. They’re strong. They know the forest better than anyone.”
But Lina curled into him, shaking slightly. “I wish she was here…”
CUTIS wrapped both arms around her and swayed gently. “I know. But I’m here too. And I won’t leave.”
They sat together in the soft evening light, CUTIS humming a gentle tune he had learned from the elders. Lina’s breathing slowly calmed as she pressed her tiny head against his chest.
The Sunset Promise
And then—just when Lina’s hope began to fade—a rustling sound came from the forest path.
CUTIS sat up. Lina jumped to her feet.
“Mama?” she whispered.
A familiar figure appeared between the trees, carrying a bunch of fresh fruit.
“MAMA!!!”
Lina raced toward her, her little feet moving faster than ever before. Mama Monkey dropped the fruit and scooped her baby up into a loving embrace.
“My sweet girl,” Mama whispered, kissing her over and over.
“Mama, I stayed!” Lina cried proudly. “I stayed like CUTIS said!”
Mama smiled through tears. “I knew you could. I’m so proud of you.”
CUTIS watched, his heart warm and full. Lina looked back at him and reached one tiny arm in his direction.
“CUTIS! Come here!”
He stepped forward, and Lina hugged him tightly with her little arms.
“Thank you for staying with me,” she whispered.
CUTIS patted her head gently. “Always.”
The sun dipped behind the trees, bathing them in orange light as the troop gathered again, safe and united.
And that night, as Lina fell asleep curled against her mama’s chest, she whispered one last little sentence:
“Mama… next time… I’ll be brave.”
And Mama smiled.
Because today, her baby had truly grown.
THE END 🐒💞
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