Under the golden morning sun, tiny baby Masha sat quietly on a broken branch, her thin arms wrapped around her frail body. Her eyes, wide and full of innocence, searched for warmth in her mother’s familiar face. But today, something was different. Mom Lana, usually gentle and protective, seemed distant—her eyes cold, her movements harsh.
Masha reached out softly, making her tiny baby sound, a plea for comfort and milk. Yet, her mother turned away, brushing her off with a firm shove. The little one stumbled back, confused and trembling. She didn’t understand why her mother’s touch felt so strange, why the love she always knew now seemed so far away.
Other monkeys watched from the nearby rocks, whispering quietly. Some young ones played, unaware of Masha’s silent pain. The poor baby tried again—she crawled forward and clung to her mother’s leg, hoping to be accepted, to feel safe. But Lana shook her off once more, focusing on grooming herself instead.
Tears welled in Masha’s small eyes. Her ribs showed beneath her soft fur, and her movements grew weaker. She sat down, watching her mother walk away, her tiny heart breaking piece by piece. Every step her mom took away from her made her world colder.
For a long moment, Masha didn’t move. Then, with a trembling hand, she touched the ground, picked up a small leaf, and held it close—perhaps pretending it was her mother’s hand again. The troop’s sounds faded around her, leaving only the quiet sobs of a confused baby who still longed for love.
