Little Albert lay on his backside, tiny feet kicking in the air as he let out the most dramatic cries his small body could manage. His face scrunched into the cutest, angriest expression—brows furrowed, lips trembling, eyes wide with frustration. Anyone watching would have felt a mix of laughter and sympathy, because Albert wasn’t hurt, hungry, or cold. He was simply furious that Mommy Ally dared to take even a few steps away from him.
Ally had only moved to the nearby branch to check their surroundings, but for Albert, that little distance felt like a great betrayal. The moment she shifted, he fell backward onto the ground, landing softly, and immediately began crying with all his heart. His backside pressed against the earth, arms stretching upward as if begging his mother to return. His little voice echoed through the clearing—high-pitched, dramatic, and filled with stubborn emotion.
His tiny chest heaved each time he called for Ally, sounding as though the whole world had turned against him. His legs kicked wildly, showing just how upset he was. Even the fur on his head puffed up a bit, adding to his adorable angry look. Several older monkeys glanced over, curious about the commotion, but soon smiled and continued their day. They knew Albert well—he was a baby who loved affection, and he hated being left even for a moment.
Ally turned around immediately, her motherly instinct stronger than anything else. She hurried back toward her crying baby, pausing only when she reached his side. Gently, she touched his cheek, and his cries softened at once. His angry little face relaxed, but he still whimpered, making sure his mother understood his feelings. He wrapped his tiny hands around her fur as if saying, “Don’t ever leave me again.”
Ally scooped him up, holding him close against her chest. Albert clung tightly, burying his face in her warmth while still releasing small huffs of complaint. His earlier anger now turned into soft sniffles as he pressed his cheek to her. To him, being close to his mother meant safety, comfort, and love—and he wasn’t willing to give that up, not even for a minute.
