In the warm morning light of the forest clearing, the younger monkeys played together with innocent excitement, hopping from branch to branch and chasing one another across the soft leaves. But their joy always came with a quiet fear—because whenever they wandered too close to the older males, the atmosphere changed instantly. The bad male monkeys, known in the troop for their rough tempers and impatience, never welcomed the little ones near their resting spot.
Whenever a small monkey accidentally approached, hoping to explore or simply follow its mom, one of the males would lunge forward, barking loud warnings. Their sharp gestures and intimidating postures sent the babies scrambling back, wide-eyed and trembling. They didn’t dare make a sound, afraid of attracting more unwanted attention. The troop mothers watched closely, always ready to pick up their little ones and carry them away from danger.
One tiny monkey named Miko seemed to attract trouble most often. Curious and eager to learn, he often wandered without realizing how close he was getting. Each time, the males pushed him away, leaving him confused and frightened. Still, Miko tried to understand why they acted so harshly. His mother would pull him close, gently grooming his fur to calm him down.
Despite the intimidating atmosphere, the little monkeys slowly learned where safety ended and danger began. They stayed close to friendly adults, moved quickly across open spaces, and avoided the shaded corner where the bad males lounged like watchful guards.
Yet within their tiny hearts, hope remained. For even though the bad monkeys bullied them, the troop’s mothers, aunties, and older siblings formed a circle of protection. And every day, Miko learned that love in the troop was stronger than the bullying that frightened him.
