The morning at the temple was peaceful, filled with the soft sounds of chanting and the echo of bells. But suddenly, a loud cry broke through the calm air. A tiny baby monkey had fallen from the high stone ledge where he had been trying to climb. The little one, so small and fragile, had wanted to follow his mother up the steep temple wall, but his tiny hands slipped on the smooth surface.
He tumbled down, landing hard on the lower steps. For a few moments, everything was silent — then came the heartbreaking sound of his cry. His little voice echoed around the temple grounds, full of fear and pain. The mother monkey, who had been watching from above, screamed out and rushed down the wall as fast as she could. Her heart must have stopped for a moment seeing her baby lying still.
When she reached him, she gently touched his face and tried to lift him. The baby’s body trembled, his eyes wide with confusion. He tried to cling to her chest, but his arms were weak. The mother held him tightly, pressing him close as if to protect him from the world. Other monkeys gathered around, watching in concern and silence.
After a while, the baby began to calm down, his cries turning into soft whimpers. The mother groomed him carefully, checking every part of his small body to make sure he was safe. It was a terrifying moment, a reminder of how dangerous life can be even in sacred places. Yet, in that moment of fear, the love between mother and child shone brighter than anything else around the temple.
