It was a bright morning by the forest pool when Mom KT decided it was time to bathe little Angela. The playful baby had been rolling in the mud, covering herself from head to toe in brown stains. Her fur clumped together, and her face looked almost painted with streaks of dirt. She squeaked in protest as her mother scooped her up, but KT knew a good wash was necessary.
Carrying Angela carefully, KT waded into the shallow water. The ripples spread gently as she lowered her baby in, dipping Angela’s tiny body into the cool pool. Angela cried out at first, unused to the sudden chill, but her mother soothed her with soft touches and grooming strokes. Bit by bit, the mud loosened and floated away, leaving Angela’s fur clean and soft again.
Nearby, Sovana sat watching with great curiosity. She leaned forward from the rocks, tilting her head as if puzzled by the whole process. Unlike Angela, Sovana hadn’t been playing in the mud, but the sight of her friend splashing and squeaking in the water caught her attention. At first, she only observed, her eyes wide with interest, her tail twitching slightly.
Then, with a sudden burst of energy, Sovana edged closer to the pool. She reached her hand into the water, testing it, splashing just a little. The ripples made her squeal with delight. Encouraged, she began to copy Angela, dipping her own fingers again and again, as though she, too, wanted to join the bath.
Mom KT glanced at Sovana but allowed her to stay close. She was focused on Angela, grooming her fur as the little one clung tightly to her. Sovana, however, seemed to take it as an invitation to play. She splashed harder, sending droplets of water into the air, her laughter-like chirps echoing around the pool.
For Angela, it was a mixture of annoyance and amusement. She shook her head and squeaked loudly, as if telling Sovana to stop distracting her bath time. But deep down, the two babies shared a playful bond—what started as a chore for Angela soon turned into a shared experience of discovery.
By the time KT finished bathing Angela, Sovana was already wet from her own splashing. Her fur stuck to her skin, her face bright with excitement. It hadn’t been her turn for a bath, but she made it hers anyway, learning from watching and joining in on the fun.
