She sat quietly in the corner of the small room, her tiny arms wrapped tightly around herself as if she were holding onto the last piece of comfort she had left. This little baby monkey had just lost everything—her mother, her safety, and the world she once understood. Her eyes, wide and filled with fear, told a story far deeper than any sound she could make. It was the kind of sadness that even the other monkeys felt the moment they saw her.
When she arrived, trembling and confused, the troop went silent. Cici was the first to move closer, approaching slowly with soft, unsure steps. She tilted her head, observing the new baby’s shaking body, and something in her seemed to understand. Yumi followed, curious but gentle, her little hands touching the floor as she crawled closer. Neither of them made a sound. They just watched, studying her with the kind of innocence only baby animals have.
Then it happened—Cici reached out a tiny hand and touched the newcomer’s arm. Not a playful tap, not a grab… but a soft, deliberate touch of comfort. Yumi mirrored her, placing her hand on the baby’s knee. And just like that, the room changed. It was no longer filled with fear, but with quiet understanding.
The baby monkey looked up, her tears drying on her cheeks. She didn’t know these other babies. She didn’t know this home. But in that moment, she realized she wasn’t alone. They knew she was hurting. They knew she had lost everything. And without being asked, they offered the one thing she needed the most—love.
Soon, she leaned forward, curling into the small circle they formed around her. Cici hugged her from behind, and Yumi pressed her cheek against hers. The new baby let out a tiny sigh, the first sign that her heart was beginning to heal.
She came in broken, but because they understood her pain… she finally felt safe again.