Nighttime is the hardest moment for any orphaned baby monkey, and for little Cici, it is the hour when memories rise like shadows she cannot escape. She woke up crying, trembling in the dark, her tiny hands reaching into the empty space where her mother used to be. The dream she had—warm fur, gentle heartbeat, her mother’s protective arms—felt so real that waking from it was like losing her all over again. For a baby monkey, such moments are not simply sadness; they are emotional earthquakes that shake their entire world.
Cici had always been deeply attached to her mother before they were separated. Baby monkeys depend on their mothers for everything: warmth, food, safety, and constant contact. A newborn’s sense of comfort comes entirely from the familiar scent and heartbeat of the mother. Losing that suddenly leaves behind confusion and fear. When Cici opened her eyes and realized the warmth she dreamed of was only a memory, her soft whimpers grew into heartbreaking cries that echoed through the small room.
Her caregivers rushed to her side, already familiar with her nighttime struggles. They lifted Cici gently, offering the warmth she was desperately searching for. Even with human comfort, Cici’s body shook with leftover fear from her dream. Her cries were not loud; they were trembling, broken little sounds that revealed longing more than pain. She pressed her face against her caregiver’s chest, trying to find something that reminded her of her mother—rhythm, scent, heartbeat, anything. These reactions show just how strong a baby monkey’s emotional memory can be.
Slowly, the soothing rhythm of gentle pats helped calm her breathing. Warm milk was offered to settle her body as much as her heart. Cici drank in small, tired sips, her eyes still wet with tears. After feeding, she clung to her blanket, rubbing her face into it as though trying to anchor herself. It took long minutes for her trembling to stop, but eventually, she curled up in her caregiver’s arm, exhausted but comforted.
Night after night, Cici’s grief softens a little more. Each dream of her mother hurts, but each waking moment with gentle hands and soft voices teaches her that she is safe again. Over time, her memories will become less painful, replaced by new bonds, new routines, and new feelings of security. Cici’s journey is slow, emotional, and deeply human-like—but with love and patience, she will heal, one night at a time.
