Little Emily was known in the troop as the smartest and most expressive young monkey. Everyone adored her bright eyes, her quick understanding of things, and her playful spirit. But today, instead of laughter and joy, the forest echoed with Emily’s loud, heartbreaking cries. She sat on a low branch, her tiny mouth wide open, her little hands reaching desperately toward her mommy as tears rolled down her face. It was clear that Emily wanted only one thing—and she wanted it now. She was begging her mommy to “open the milk shop,” her adorable way of asking for milk.
Emily’s mommy, a gentle and patient mother, was resting after a long morning of searching for food. She knew her daughter was hungry, but she hoped Emily could wait just a moment so she could recover her strength. Yet Emily, who always believed that every small problem deserved immediate attention, grew more frustrated by the second. Her cries turned louder, echoing through the trees, drawing the attention of older mothers and young monkeys nearby.
The troop watched with amusement and sympathy. Emily, though tiny, had a dramatic spirit that everyone recognized. She wrapped her little arms around her mommy’s leg, shaking it softly, as if reminding her, Please, open the milk shop now. When that did not work, she climbed onto her mommy’s lap, pressed her cheek to her chest, and cried even more sadly. Her mommy gently touched Emily’s back, trying to comfort her, but the baby was too emotional to calm down.
Eventually, Emily’s cries softened into sobs as she rested her head against her mommy. She looked up with watery eyes, her face full of hope. Understanding her daughter’s need, her mommy finally shifted her posture, opening her arms and allowing Emily to nurse. The moment Emily realized the “milk shop” was open, her tears immediately stopped. She latched on eagerly, her tiny fingers relaxing as comfort washed over her.
The troop watched the scene with warm smiles. Even the older monkeys shook their heads softly, amused by Emily’s determination. It was just another example of how expressive and clever she was—always knowing exactly what she wanted and how to ask for it.
As Emily nursed, safe and content in her mother’s arms, her earlier sadness slowly faded. Soon she closed her eyes, trusting completely that her mommy would always be there, ready to give her comfort when the world felt too big or too scary.
