Poor little Duke, the curious baby monkey, was happily playing near the muddy riverbank, unaware of the danger hiding just beneath the surface. His innocent eyes sparkled with excitement as he splashed water and explored the soft, wet soil. But in a sudden twist, his joy turned into fear.
Without warning, a large leech clung tightly to his tiny leg. Duke froze for a second, not understanding what was happening. Then, the pain and the strange feeling kicked in — and panic took over. He screamed in fear and started running in circles, hopping frantically, trying to shake off the slimy creature. His little feet kicked the air as he darted across the ground like a flash, terrified and confused.
Other monkeys looked on, surprised by Duke’s loud cries and wild movements. His mommy rushed over, alarmed by the chaos. She quickly grabbed Duke and examined his leg. The leech was still attached, growing fat as it fed. With a swift move, she pulled it off and tossed it far away.
Tears welled up in Duke’s eyes. He clung to his mom tightly, shivering and whining softly. His mommy gently groomed him, licking his wound and cuddling him close to calm him down. Bit by bit, Duke’s breathing slowed, and he began to feel safe again.
Though the bite was small, the shock had scared poor Duke deeply. He refused to leave his mommy’s side for the rest of the day. It was a lesson for him — rivers are not only for fun, but also full of surprises. And for a curious little monkey like Duke, it’s a wild world out there, and sometimes, even something tiny can leave a big mark.
