Baby Leo was full of energy and curiosity. As most young monkeys do, he loved to explore—digging in the soil, rolling in the grass, and learning about the world with his tiny hands. Today, his adventure led him through a patch of wet soil, and before long, his soft fur was messy, damp, and covered in dust.
Still, all Leo wanted afterward was one thing: a warm hug from his mother, Libby.
With hopeful eyes and open arms, he reached up to cuddle her. But Mama Libby, surprised by his dirty appearance, turned away. She sniffed him, noticed the mud, and gently blocked him from climbing onto her lap.
Leo looked stunned. He didn’t understand. Just moments ago, she had been cuddling him—why not now? His small face crumpled into confusion, and his hands reached again for comfort that wasn’t there.
Mama Libby wasn’t being cruel. In monkey behavior, grooming and cleanliness are important, and sometimes a mother may instinctively pull away when her baby is unusually messy. But to little Leo, it felt like rejection.
He sat quietly on the ground for a moment, not crying, just waiting—hoping she might change her mind.
And after a few moments, she did. As soon as Leo began to clean himself off by rubbing his hands and brushing his chest, Libby noticed. She softened. Slowly, she let him come close again, offering a reassuring touch and a moment of closeness.
