In the quiet forest clearing where Lucie and her family lived, the day started with the usual warmth of the sun. Her mother groomed her sisters and brothers, keeping them close under her watchful eyes. But peace in the wild is never guaranteed. Suddenly, an aggressive group of monkeys—known as the “army”—stormed into the clearing. They were larger, stronger, and determined to drive Lucie’s family away from the food-rich area.
The attack was swift and brutal. The army monkeys leapt from the trees, baring teeth and letting out piercing screams that echoed through the forest. Lucie’s mother immediately tried to shield her little ones, but she was outnumbered. Her sisters and brothers scattered in panic, some clinging to branches, others running across the ground in terror. The family’s safety seemed uncertain, and every second brought new danger.
Tiny Lucie, though small and inexperienced, felt a strong surge of courage. She was not big enough to fight the attackers, yet her heart told her she must do something. She quickly darted between her mother’s struggling arms and her frightened siblings, tugging and pulling at them to guide them toward safer hiding places.
When one of her younger brothers froze, unable to move from fear, Lucie nipped gently at his tail and nudged him forward. She led him toward the thick bushes where they could stay hidden. Then, spotting her sister clinging helplessly to a branch while two army monkeys climbed closer, Lucie squeaked loudly to distract the attackers. For a moment, they turned their eyes toward her, giving her sister enough time to scramble down and join the others in safety.
Her bravery did not stop there. As the army closed in on their mother, Lucie boldly dashed back, pulling at her mother’s fur and guiding her toward the younger ones. It was an astonishing sight—such a tiny monkey showing strength far greater than her size. The family huddled together, frightened but alive, thanks in large part to Lucie’s quick actions.
Eventually, the army lost interest. Unable to catch the smaller monkeys hiding in the thickets, they moved on to another part of the forest. Silence returned, broken only by the heavy breaths of Lucie’s family. Her mother looked down at her brave little daughter with gratitude, grooming her softly as if to say, “You saved us.”
That day, Lucie proved that even the smallest member of the troop could be a protector. Her courage reminded everyone that family is worth fighting for, and sometimes the tiniest hands can carry the greatest strength.
