In the quiet shade of the forest, baby Alba, a tiny and fragile monkey, was resting near a pile of leaves while her mother searched for food. Alba’s little hands played with the twigs on the ground, unaware of the hidden danger just beneath her. A colony of big red ants had built their nest right under the spot where she sat, and her innocent movements disturbed them. Within moments, dozens of ants swarmed up her legs and arms, biting her soft skin.
The sudden pain made Alba cry loudly. Her tiny face twisted with discomfort, her body shaking as she scratched desperately at the burning bites. The sharp stings spread across her legs, belly, and arms, leaving red marks that made her skin swell. Alba did not understand why she was suffering so much—she only knew it hurt terribly and made her itch all over.
Hearing her baby’s cries, Alba’s mother rushed back. She saw her little one rolling on the ground, scratching and whimpering in pain. Gently, she pulled Alba close and brushed away the crawling ants from her fur. The mother monkey tried to comfort her, licking the sore spots and holding Alba tightly to her chest. Still, Alba kept crying, her tiny voice echoing through the forest.
The other monkeys nearby turned to watch. Some came closer, curious and concerned, as Alba squirmed and tried to scratch the bites. Every movement seemed to make the pain worse, and her pitiful eyes looked up at her mother for relief. She rubbed her tiny face against her mother’s fur, seeking warmth and safety after the terrifying attack.
Slowly, as time passed, the ants were gone and Alba’s cries began to soften. Her mother rocked her gently, whispering comfort in the way only a mother can. Though the swelling and itching remained, Alba found peace in her mother’s embrace. The forest grew quiet again, except for Alba’s soft sniffles as she clung tightly, too scared to let go.
Alba’s suffering from the red ants would not be forgotten. It was a painful lesson about the dangers hidden in the forest floor. For now, she was safe, wrapped in her mother’s arms, but the memory of the bites and the fear would stay with her for a long time.
