In the warm afternoon sun, the troop lounged under the shade of the big banyan tree. Anna, a young but determined mother monkey, sat on a sturdy branch holding her baby, Arian. He was still small, with bright eyes and soft fur, and he had only one thing on his mind—milk. But Anna had been trying to wean him for days, determined to teach her little one some independence.
Arian didn’t understand why his mother was suddenly refusing him. He clung tightly to her belly, his tiny hands tugging at her fur, his mouth opening in soft cries. Each whimper was filled with frustration and confusion. He nuzzled against her chest, searching for the comfort he had always known, but Anna gently pushed him away.
Anna’s decision wasn’t cruel—she believed it was time for Arian to explore other foods and grow stronger. Still, her serious approach felt harsh to the baby, who couldn’t imagine a world without his warm milk. Every time she turned her head away or walked off, his cries grew louder, echoing through the forest.
The troop watched the scene with mixed feelings. Some mothers groomed their own babies calmly, while others seemed to approve of Anna’s firmness. Arian, however, was far from ready to give up. Between short bursts of play, he returned to his mother, pleading with his eyes and soft squeaks.
By sunset, Anna still stood her ground. She groomed Arian lovingly but refused to feed him. The little one eventually curled up beside her, tired from the emotional battle. His eyes slowly closed, though his tiny hands still rested against her chest, as if hoping the morning might bring back the milk he missed so dearly.
