Theme and Style :
- Theme: Natural instincts, maternal discipline, and the harsh realities of survival in the animal kingdom. The story focuses on the baby’s distress and the mother’s instinctive actions to prepare her baby for independence.
- Style: Emotional and raw, with vivid descriptions of the intense scene, emphasizing both the baby’s pain and the mother’s tough love.
Short Story :
- In the dim light of the forest clearing, a tiny baby monkey squirmed under the watchful eye of its mother, Zara. The newborn, just a few days old, still had its umbilical cord attached—a connection to its earlier life, now a burden it needed to leave behind. Zara knew this was a moment that could not wait; the baby needed to be free to grow stronger, to climb, to thrive in the troop.
- But the baby, named Tali, had no understanding of this. All it knew was the world was vast and confusing, and now, its mother was trying to do something that caused discomfort and fear.
- Zara gently pulled Tali closer, her strong hands holding the cord in place. Tali let out a small cry, a sound of confusion, but Zara did not falter. She began to chew at the cord, her sharp teeth making quick work of what she knew had to be done.
- The moment the cord was severed, Tali screamed, a high-pitched wail that echoed through the trees. The pain was sharp and startling, but brief. Zara immediately pulled Tali close, cradling the baby against her chest, her soft murmurs of reassurance mixing with the baby’s cries.
- The other members of the troop turned their heads toward the sound, their eyes curious but understanding. This was a natural part of life, a moment every newborn monkey faced, and the cries were a sign of new beginnings.
- Zara continued to soothe Tali, her hands gently stroking the baby’s fur. Slowly, the cries softened into whimpers, and Tali’s tiny body relaxed against her. Though still shaken, the baby clung tightly to Zara, seeking comfort in the only place that felt safe.
- As the sun filtered through the trees, Zara’s eyes softened. She knew this was only the first of many challenges her baby would face, and though it hurt to see Tali in pain, she also knew it was necessary. For Tali, the world was just beginning, and Zara would be there every step of the way to guide and protect her child.
Excerpt :
- Tali’s screams pierced the forest, his tiny body trembling as his mother worked quickly to sever the cord that still tied him to his first moments of life.
- “It’s for your own good,” Zara seemed to say with her calm yet determined gaze. When the task was done, she scooped him into her arms, rocking him gently until his cries subsided into soft whimpers.
- In that moment, Tali learned the first lesson of life: sometimes, even love comes with a little pain. But in his mother’s arms, he found the reassurance that he would never face it alone.
Source from YouTube “Tuabang Monkey“