Chaos broke out in the troop that morning, and little Alba found herself right in the middle of it. Baby Alba was full of restless energy, hopping from branch to branch, tugging at leaves, and occasionally trying to sneak close to the older monkeys. But her playful curiosity brought her too close to Mom Anna, who was already stressed and protecting her space. Anna reacted quickly with a stern warning, rushing toward Alba with raised posture meant to scare her away.
Startled and confused, Alba panicked. Instead of climbing up the branches where she would normally be safe, she bolted toward the open ground. Her tiny feet pattered rapidly across the dusty path as she tried to escape the commotion behind her. The troop called out loudly, adding to the rising fear in her little heart.
Before she realized it, Alba had reached the edge of the road—a place she should never go. The sound of an approaching motorbike suddenly roared through the air. Alba froze, her tiny body trembling. The rider hit the brakes hard, skidding to a stop just a few meters away. Dust swirled up around them as Alba crouched low, overwhelmed and confused.
The troop erupted in alarm calls, and an older female quickly dashed forward, guiding Alba back toward the safety of the trees. Alba clung tightly to her rescuer’s fur, still shaking from the close call. Even Anna, despite her earlier frustration, watched with deep concern from a distance, realizing how frightened the baby had become.
Once back in the familiar shade of the branches, Alba slowly calmed down. Her narrow escape became a quiet lesson for the entire troop—especially Alba herself. Curiosity was natural, but staying close, staying alert, and staying safe mattered even more.
