The forest was quiet in the early morning, except for the soft rustling of leaves high in the canopy. Baby Timo, curious and playful as always, tried to follow his mother up a tall tree. He had climbed many small branches before, but this one was higher, thinner, and swayed with the wind. Still, Timo wanted to explore. His mother, Lira, kept glancing back, giving soft warning calls, but Timo’s excitement made him forget to be careful.
As he reached for a wobbly branch, his tiny fingers slipped. In an instant, Timo lost his balance. Leaves scattered, a sharp squeak echoed, and the tiny body tumbled downward. The fall wasn’t long, but for a baby monkey, it was enough to frighten the entire troop.
Lira reacted before anyone else. She rushed down the branches with lightning speed, her heart pounding. The moment she reached the ground, she found Timo curled up, shaking with shock. He wasn’t seriously hurt, but confused and frightened. Lira scooped him up immediately, wrapping him tightly to her chest, grooming his head as she made soft, calming sounds.
Other monkeys gathered around, watching with concern. The troop leader grumbled loudly, signaling everyone to stay alert and give space. Lira continued checking every part of Timo—his hands, his feet, his little back—making sure he was safe.
Gradually, Timo stopped trembling. He clung to his mother’s fur, hiding his face as Lira carried him to a lower, safer branch. She didn’t let him go for a long time, keeping him close, protective and attentive.
Though the fall scared them both, it became an important lesson. From that day, Lira guided Timo more carefully, and Timo learned to respect the height of the trees he loved so much. The bond between them grew even stronger after the scare they shared.
