Life inside the monkey troop is never simple. Every little move of a baby is watched carefully by the mother, and tiny Lily, the daughter of Libby, is no exception. Lily is still very small, innocent, and full of energy. She loves to wander, to explore, and sometimes, she forgets how closely her mother guards her. On one sunny morning, while the troop moved across the branches, Lily tried to test her own courage. She jumped down quickly, wanting to play on the ground with the leaves.
But her mom, Libby, noticed instantly. Libby has always been a strict mother, worried that her baby might fall into danger or get attacked by others. She ran fast, stretching out her long arms to catch Lily before she could run too far. The sudden grab startled the little baby. Libby’s strong hands pulled Lily close against her chest, holding tightly so that she couldn’t escape.
Lily, who only wanted to play, began to cry loudly. Her small squeaks echoed across the area, making other monkeys turn their heads. To them, it was just another ordinary moment, but for Lily, it felt like her whole world was shaking. She wriggled and pushed, trying to get free, but Libby would not let go.
The crying grew louder as Libby dragged her back toward the safety of the troop. Every time Lily tried to slip away, Libby tightened her grip. She was not cruel, but her way of protecting seemed too harsh for the tender baby. Lily’s little tears rolled down her cheeks, her face red with frustration. Across the forest floor, her cries spread like an alarm bell.
Finally, Libby sat down under a tree and began grooming Lily gently. This was her way of calming the baby after discipline. Slowly, Lily’s cries softened. Though still upset, she felt the warmth of her mother’s touch and the comfort of being cared for. The strict capture had made her cry, but the grooming reminded her of love.
In the wild, moments like these happen every day. A mother must be firm, even if it makes the baby cry, because danger is everywhere. For Libby, catching Lily and keeping her close was not only about control but also about survival. And though Lily’s sobs echoed far and wide, her mother’s arms remained the safest place she could ever be.
