Grandma Malida had always been the quiet guardian of the troop, a wise old matriarch who rarely showed fear even when the forest grew loud with danger. But on this heartbreaking day, her calmness shattered the moment she heard the sharp cry of baby Mira echoing through the trees. The little newborn was trembling, her tiny hands reaching desperately for the mother who could no longer hold her. Chaos had broken out when Mira’s mommy was suddenly attacked during a tense moment inside the troop, leaving the fragile infant alone, confused, and surrounded by frightened adults who didn’t know how to help.
Malida reacted faster than anyone expected. Her instincts, sharpened by years of raising and protecting young ones, pushed her forward. She could see baby Mira stumbling near the ground, crying so sadly that even the most dominant troop members paused for a moment. Without hesitation, Malida rushed in, placing herself between the vulnerable infant and the panicked troop. Her old but steady arms reached out, pulling Mira close to her chest, giving her the warmth and safety she had just lost.
The troop around them was still unsettled. Some monkeys were shouting, others pacing nervously, the tension showing in every movement. Malida knew that if she stayed in the middle of this confusion, Mira could get hurt again. Carefully, she backed away, shielding the tiny newborn with her body. The baby’s cries softened just a little when she felt Malida’s gentle touch, but the sadness in her voice still trembled through the air. Mira could not understand what had happened—why her mother stopped moving, why everything felt so cold and dangerous.
Malida carried her to a quieter corner beneath a large tree, where the leaves formed a soft shield from the noise. There, she rocked the newborn gently, whispering soft grumbles of comfort the way only an experienced grandmother could. Even though she was old and tired, her heart was strong enough to carry the weight of little Mira’s fear. She cleaned the dust from the baby’s fur, wiped her tears, and held her close like she was her own.
As the sun slowly dropped behind the forest, Malida stayed alert, keeping Mira safe and warm. In that fragile moment, she became the baby’s only guardian, promising—through her actions—that she would not let anything else harm her. Even in sorrow, love found its way.
