The peaceful morning in the troop suddenly turned into a heartbreaking scene when Luna, known for her unpredictable temper, turned her attention toward the youngest baby, little Luca. Without warning, she pounced on him, gripping him tightly with her sharp teeth. Baby Luca screamed in fear, his tiny body trembling as he tried to wriggle free. The troop around them was startled, but most only watched, afraid to intervene against Luna’s aggression.
Luna’s bite was not quick—it was stickily long and forceful, as if she wanted to prove her dominance over the helpless infant. Baby Luca’s cries echoed through the trees, and for a moment, it seemed like no one would dare to help. His mother was too far away, and panic filled the air.
Then came Katrina, one of the younger but brave females of the group. She could not bear to see the baby suffering. With surprising courage, she rushed toward Luna, tugging and pulling to separate her from Luca. It was not easy—Luna refused to let go, holding tightly with her jaws. Katrina dragged her out with all the strength she had, pushing against Luna’s body until finally, the bite was released.
The relief was immediate. Baby Luca stumbled away, whimpering, his small face marked by fresh red scratches and a tiny wound. Though the injury was not life-threatening, it left a clear reminder of how close he had come to greater harm. Katrina quickly scooped him near, gently grooming his fur to calm him, while her own face showed a small cut from Luna’s claws during the scuffle.
The other monkeys finally gathered closer, chattering loudly as if to scold Luna for her harsh behavior. But Luna, still full of anger, sat apart with piercing eyes, unashamed of what she had done. The troop’s tension was heavy, for no one knew when her temper might strike again.
Meanwhile, Katrina continued to comfort baby Luca, licking the wound carefully to clean it. Despite the pain, the baby clung to her, feeling safe in her arms. The tiny injury on his face would heal, but the memory of fear would linger for a long time. Katrina herself bore the mark of bravery—a scratch across her cheek, showing the cost of stepping in to save the innocent.
This moment became a powerful reminder within the troop: cruelty could bring harm at any second, but compassion and courage could save lives. Baby Luca survived because Katrina dared to act when no one else moved. And even though her face carried a small injury, her heart carried the strength of a protector.
