In a dense patch of forest, a young mother monkey moves quickly through the tall grass and tangled roots, urgently searching for food to nourish herself and her baby. Her eyes scan the canopy and the forest floor for ripe fruit or hidden insects, her mind focused on survival.
Clinging tightly to her belly is her tiny newborn baby, still fragile and learning how to hold on. The baby’s tiny fingers grip her fur, but his strength is no match for the mother’s fast and determined steps. As she moves from branch to branch and over uneven ground, the little one struggles to keep his hold.
Suddenly, as the mother leaps from one rock to another, the tiny baby slips. With a soft cry, he tumbles down onto the leaf-covered ground. The fall is not far, but for a newborn whose world has only ever been his mother’s warm body, it is frightening and cold.
The mother pauses, looking back at her fallen baby. For a moment, she seems torn between her search for food and her duty to her child. Her eyes flicker with worry, and she quickly turns around, scooping up her baby with careful hands. She inspects him gently, checking that he is not hurt.
Once sure he is safe, she settles him back against her chest, adjusting her grip so that his tiny arms and legs are tucked more securely into her thick fur. This time, she slows her pace, moving more carefully through the forest so her baby can rest without fear of falling again.
