Theme and Style :
- Theme: Survival instincts, maternal care, and the dangers of learning in nature. The story captures the intense emotions surrounding a baby monkey’s near-drowning experience as his mother attempts to teach him critical survival skills.
- Style: Dramatic and suspenseful, with a focus on the baby’s vulnerability and the mother’s instincts to prepare her child for the wild.
Short Story :
The forest buzzed with activity as the troop settled near the edge of a shimmering pool. It was an unusually warm day, and the water offered a welcome escape from the heat. Among the group was Libby, a protective mother monkey, and her curious yet hesitant baby, Leo.- Today was a big day for Leo. Libby had decided it was time to teach him how to swim—a crucial survival skill for any monkey living in a forest with rivers and pools. But Leo, still so small and unsure, clung tightly to his mother’s fur, his tiny eyes wide with fear as he looked at the water’s surface.
- Libby, however, was determined. She gently pried Leo off her chest and placed him on the water’s edge. He whimpered, his tiny hands reaching for her, but she nudged him forward, encouraging him to step into the pool.
- With a soft push, Libby guided Leo into the shallow water. The baby let out a sharp squeak as the cold liquid touched his fur. Instinctively, he flailed his arms, trying to cling to anything solid. Libby stayed close, her sharp eyes fixed on him, ready to intervene if needed.
- But as Leo struggled to stay afloat, he panicked, his small body sinking below the surface. For a terrifying moment, he disappeared entirely, his tiny bubbles rising to the top. The other monkeys watching from the trees began chattering in alarm, their cries echoing through the forest.
- Libby wasted no time. With lightning speed, she plunged into the water, grabbing Leo by the scruff of his neck and pulling him to safety. She held him close, her hands gently stroking his tiny body as he coughed and sputtered, taking in deep breaths of air.
- Leo clung tightly to his mother, his tiny body trembling. His big, tear-filled eyes looked up at her, as if asking why she had put him through such an ordeal. Libby pressed her nose to his, a gesture of comfort and reassurance.
- The lesson had been harsh, but it was necessary. In the wild, knowing how to swim could mean the difference between life and death. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the pool, Libby held Leo close, silently vowing to be there for him every step of the way, even when the lessons were tough.
Excerpt :
- Leo’s tiny hands flailed in the water, his cries muffled by the splashes as he struggled to stay afloat. Just as his head dipped below the surface, Libby dove in, her strong arms pulling him to safety.
- The baby clung to her, coughing and trembling, his wide eyes filled with fear. Libby held him close, her soft murmurs of reassurance mingling with the rustling leaves around them.
- It was a hard lesson for little Leo, but one that would one day save his life. For now, he rested in his mother’s arms, safe and loved.
Source from YouTube “Monkey Library“