In the early morning light, Anna sits quietly beneath a tall tree, her sharp eyes watching every small movement of her apple headed baby, Ara. Today is not a day for playing or clinging tightly to her chest. Today, Anna here is trying to teach her apple headed Ara to forage & eat roots, leaves & bark just like a grown monkey should. It is an important lesson, even if it looks hard and confusing for little Ara.
Ara sniffs the ground, touching dry leaves with tiny fingers. The forest floor feels strange. Roots twist like snakes, bark flakes off trees, and the smells are strong and new. Ara looks back at Anna, unsure, almost asking for milk instead. But Anna gently pushes Ara forward, picking up a small root and showing how to bite it. Her actions are firm but not cruel. She knows that survival depends on learning early.
At first, Ara cries softly, shaking her head. The root tastes bitter, the bark is rough, and the leaves are not sweet at all. Anna repeats the lesson again and again. She scratches the soil, peels bark with her teeth, and chews slowly so Ara can copy. This is how monkeys learn—by watching, trying, and failing many times.
Gradually, Ara becomes curious. She bites a leaf, then another. Her face changes as she realizes she can chew and swallow. It is not delicious, but it fills her stomach. Anna watches closely, ready to protect, ready to correct. Her love is not only in hugs, but in lessons that prepare Ara for the wild.
By the end of the day, Ara sits beside Anna, tired but calmer. The forest no longer feels so scary. Anna knows this is just the beginning, but today, Ara has taken her first step toward independence, guided by a mother who understands that teaching can be as important as caring.
