Without a single hesitation, she leapt from the branch with fierce determination. Her feet barely touched the ground before she lunged into the river. Other monkeys screamed in alarm, but Lina heard nothing except her baby’s frantic cries. Instinct, love, and fear fueled her strength.
The water was deeper than it looked, and the current pulled her sideways, but Lina pushed forward with powerful strokes. She dove under the surface, searching for Toto, who had begun to sink. A moment passed—one terrifying moment—and then, from beneath the water, she spotted her baby’s tiny form drifting downward.
Lina grabbed Toto gently with both hands and propelled herself upward, bursting through the surface with a gasp. Toto clung weakly to her chest, his body trembling from shock and fear. His mother held him close as she navigated back to shore, fighting against the current that kept tugging at them. Her muscles burned, but she refused to slow down.
When they reached the riverbank, the troop surrounded them immediately. Lina sat down, holding Toto tightly while grooming him with quick, reassuring strokes. Her eyes were wide with fear, but her hands were steady—every touch was a mother’s promise that he was safe now.
Toto coughed up water before letting out a soft, tired cry. The entire troop could finally breathe again. Some of the elders gently touched Lina’s back, acknowledging her bravery. Toto slowly regained his strength, curling into his mother’s arms, shivering but alive.
As the baby drifted into an exhausted sleep, the troop moved to a safer area farther from the river. Lina refused to let Toto out of her arms. She held him close, pressing her cheek to his tiny head, as though she needed to feel his warmth to convince herself that the nightmare was truly over.
Hours passed, and the forest returned to its normal rhythm—but Lina did not forget the terror she had felt. Toto, too, seemed quieter, clinging to her more than usual. The near-tragedy became a moment the entire troop would remember—a reminder of how quickly life could change and how powerful a mother’s love could be.
Over the following days, Lina kept Toto close, carrying him with extra care. And Toto, though young and playful, seemed to understand that the world was bigger and more dangerous than he had realized. But as he grew, his confidence returned—slowly but surely. And every time he explored, Lina was right behind him, watchful and protective.
The river continued flowing as it always had, but now the troop kept a safe distance. The sparkling surface no longer fooled them into thinking it was harmless. It was beautiful, yes—but also powerful.
