Baby Alba’s soft whimpers filled the quiet forest morning long before the other monkeys even stirred. The little one clung to the rough bark of the tree, trembling, confused, and overwhelmed. Moments earlier, a sudden burst of tension had erupted high in the branches, where Alba’s mother, Anna, had been locked in a fierce disagreement with another female in the troop. The argument grew quickly—loud calls, sharp gestures, and restless movements shaking the leaves around them.
In the chaos, Anna pushed forward, trying to defend her space, and Alba, too small to understand what was happening, got caught in the middle. Startled by the sudden shove, Alba slipped from the branch. The fall wasn’t far, but enough to frighten the tiny baby deeply. She landed clumsily on a lower branch, gripping tightly as her cries burst out uncontrollably.
Her thin wails echoed through the forest as she tried to pull herself upright. To her, the world had suddenly turned harsh. Her mom was busy, distracted with the escalating quarrel above, leaving Alba feeling lost and unprotected.
Other members of the troop glanced toward the noise. A few approached cautiously, not wanting to interfere in the adults’ conflict but also sensing Alba’s panic. One older female climbed closer, giving Alba a reassuring presence. Her calm, gentle posture helped the baby settle just a little, though tears still streamed as she gasped between sobs.
Eventually, the tension above faded. Anna, breathing hard from the confrontation, finally looked down and noticed Alba’s desperate cries. Realizing her baby’s distress, she hurried down the branches. She gathered Alba close, pulling her into her chest where the baby clung tightly, still shaken but safe once more.
Alba’s cries slowly softened, replaced by quiet sniffles—another difficult lesson in the unpredictable world of the forest.
