Little Lily followed closely behind her mother, Libby, her tiny hands reaching out as soft whimpers escaped her. The afternoon forest was warm, sunlight touching the leaves like gold, but for Lily everything felt heavy. She was hungry, tired, and needed the comfort only her mother could give.
Libby, however, was busy searching for food among the tall grass. She moved from branch to branch, checking the ground, picking through fallen leaves, making sure everything around them was safe. Lily tugged gently at her mother’s fur, letting out another small cry, hoping Libby would turn and hold her close.
For a moment, Libby paused. She looked back at her daughter with calm, serious eyes. Lily’s face crumpled with emotion, her soft cries growing louder as she leaned into her mom’s leg, asking for milk the only way she knew how. The little one pressed her cheek into Libby’s side, trying to remind her that she still needed comfort, still needed the warmth of nursing.
But as Lily grew older, Libby was slowly teaching her independence. It wasn’t rejection — it was guidance, a natural lesson all young monkeys eventually learned. Still, Lily didn’t understand. All she felt was the longing, the ache of wanting her mom to hold her just a little longer.
When Lily’s cries became too heartbreaking to ignore, Libby finally knelt down. She wrapped her arms around her baby, grooming her gently to soothe her worries. Lily relaxed immediately, her tiny body melting into her mother’s chest.
Though Libby didn’t nurse her this time, she stayed close, giving Lily the comfort she begged for. And for the little one, being in her mother’s arms was the sweetest relief of all.
