The golden afternoon sun filters softly through the trees, casting glimmers of light on the peaceful riverside. A small troop of monkeys gathers near the water’s edge, playing, grooming, and enjoying the calm day. Among them is little Lori, a curious and lively baby monkey known for her playful energy and endless curiosity. But today, her curiosity turns into a painful mistake that shocks everyone around.
As the group forages for food, Lori notices something floating in the water — a dried lotus pod, round and full of holes. To her, it looks like a new toy or perhaps something delicious to chew. With innocent excitement, she grabs it and begins to explore, pressing it against her lips. But in a sudden, unfortunate moment, the edge of the lotus pod gets stuck around her small mouth.
At first, Lori doesn’t realize what’s happened. She tries to pull it off playfully, thinking it’s just part of the game. But when the pod doesn’t move, panic begins to rise. Her tiny fingers tug harder, her body jerks in distress, and soft cries echo through the trees. The lotus pod is wedged tightly, trapping her lips and making it impossible to open her mouth properly. She can’t eat, can’t call loudly — even breathing becomes difficult.
The other monkeys notice immediately. Her mother, hearing her muffled cries, rushes over in alarm. When she sees Lori’s face covered by the strange object, her expression changes to panic. She reaches out gently, trying to remove it, but Lori wriggles in fear, making it even harder. The mother holds her baby still, tugging carefully, but the lotus pod’s edges are hard and dry — it won’t come off easily.
Lori’s little body trembles as her mother works desperately. Every few seconds, Lori gasps for air through tiny gaps between the holes. The sound of her struggle is heartbreaking. Other monkeys gather around, watching anxiously, some trying to help by pulling or sniffing the pod. The troop becomes restless, their chatter filled with worry.
The mother continues her effort, alternating between pulling at the pod and comforting Lori. She licks her baby’s fur, murmuring soft sounds that seem to say, “It’s okay, I’m here.” But every failed attempt increases the fear in her eyes. Lori’s breathing grows shallow, and her strength begins to fade. She sits weakly in her mother’s arms, her eyes half-closed, her tiny hands clutching the edge of the pod in vain.
Just when hope seems to fade, the mother monkey tries a new approach. She dips the pod into the water, hoping to soften its dry surface. Slowly, she pries her baby’s mouth open with her fingers and pulls again — this time, the pod begins to loosen. Lori lets out a faint squeak as the mother makes one final, determined tug.
At last, the lotus pod pops free. The moment feels like a miracle. Lori gasps deeply, finally able to breathe without struggle. Her mother immediately hugs her close, pressing her baby’s face against her chest as if to shield her from the world. The other monkeys cheer softly, touching Lori with gentle reassurance.
Though exhausted, Lori recovers slowly. She nuzzles into her mother’s fur, eyes closing with relief. Her lips are red and sore, but she’s safe. The mother continues to groom her lovingly, never letting her wander far again.
