Nimo had just discovered the joy of eating bananas. Still new to solid foods, he was fascinated by the soft texture and the sweet taste that melted in his mouth. His tiny hands fumbled with the peel, but once he got the hang of it, he would sit on a low branch, happily munching away, completely absorbed in his treat.
One peaceful afternoon, as Nimo was enjoying his banana snack, a loud rustle came from the bushes. One of the older male monkeys, trying to be playful, suddenly leapt out and made a silly noise. It was meant as a joke—but for little Nimo, it was frightening.
Startled, Nimo let out a tiny squeak and dropped his banana. His eyes widened, and he scrambled up a branch to find his mother, clinging tightly to her fur for comfort. The mother monkey, sensing her baby’s fear, gently stroked Nimo’s back and glared at the older monkey. It was clear that the prank wasn’t funny to her—or to Nimo.
The troop leader, an elderly female named Luma, quickly stepped in. She had seen too many of these careless jokes go wrong. “We must never scare the babies,” she said softly but firmly. “Let them feel safe. Let them grow with love, not fear.”
After a few minutes in his mother’s arms, Nimo slowly calmed down. His mother found another banana, peeled it lovingly, and offered it to him. Though still a bit shaken, the smell of the fruit comforted him. He took it with both hands and took a bite, the familiar sweetness bringing a small smile to his face.
From that day forward, the troop made extra efforts to be gentle around the babies. They understood that little ones like Nimo were just beginning to explore the world. Loud noises or sudden movements could turn joy into fear in a heartbeat.
Nimo soon returned to his playful self, once again enjoying his bananas under the warm sun. But this time, he felt a little safer, knowing that his family understood his feelings.
And so, among the laughter and games of the forest, the smallest member of the monkey troop found comfort in kindness, sweetness in bananas, and security in the loving arms of his mother.
