The jungle morning was calm and fresh when playful Duke, the young monkey with a curious spirit, decided to explore a small stream near his troop’s resting place. The sun glittered on the water, and Duke, full of energy, couldn’t resist splashing around. He laughed, jumped, and rolled in the shallow water — just being his cheerful self.
But then, something unexpected happened. A sudden ticklish feeling on his leg made him stop. Duke looked down — and froze. A dark, slimy shape clung to his fur. He didn’t understand what it was, but it scared him instantly.
“Eee! Eee!” he squeaked loudly, leaping out of the water with wide eyes. The rest of the troop turned in surprise as Duke began running in circles, shaking his leg, trying desperately to get away from the strange thing stuck to him. His little heart was racing; his face showed pure fear and confusion.
The older monkeys, hearing his cries, rushed to him. Duke kept hopping and spinning while his mother ran over, worried. She held him still and began inspecting his leg carefully. The other monkeys gathered around, chattering anxiously. Everyone wanted to help.
The caretakers nearby quickly came over too. They had seen this before — sometimes little monkeys get leeches when playing in muddy or dirty water. One of them gently held Duke’s leg while another carefully cleaned the area with clean water. Duke whimpered softly, still frightened, but soon realized the humans were helping him.
After a few patient moments, the leech was safely removed. Duke was free at last! He clung tightly to his mother’s chest, breathing fast but slowly calming down as she groomed him lovingly. His mother looked at him with deep concern, then gave him gentle kisses on his forehead to comfort him.
The rest of the troop stayed close, watching quietly. One of the young monkeys tried to approach, curious about the commotion, but Duke hid his face — he wasn’t ready to play again yet. He just wanted his mom’s warmth.
The caretakers made sure the small bite was cleaned and safe, then left the family to rest. Duke stayed in his mother’s arms, still trembling a bit but beginning to relax. Soon, his frightened cries turned into soft coos as she continued grooming him.
By the afternoon, the troop had moved to a drier, safer area. Duke was already starting to recover his playful energy — though he gave the water puddles a cautious look before going near them again. The experience had scared him, but it also made him wiser.
That evening, under the orange glow of sunset, Duke finally smiled again. His mother wrapped her tail around him as they rested on a tree branch together. The jungle was peaceful once more.
It had been a terrifying morning for little Duke — but thanks to care, love, and teamwork, the fear was replaced with comfort and safety. Another wild day had passed in the world of Monkey Buzz 676, where even the smallest scare becomes a story of courage and love.
