Early one peaceful morning in the tropical forest of Chiang Mai, a tiny newborn baby monkey named A Tong was enjoying his very first bath. The sun had just begun to rise, casting a golden glow over the trees, and the birds were singing sweet melodies through the branches. A Tong, only a few days old, had thick brown fur, oversized ears, and curious, sparkling eyes that reflected the light of the new day.
A Tong’s mother, Mali, had gently scooped him up from their cozy nest high in the trees and brought him to a shallow stream. The morning air was fresh and cool, but the water was even cooler. As Mali carefully dipped A Tong into the gentle stream, the little monkey squeaked in surprise. His tiny hands gripped her arm tightly, but she chirped reassuringly, letting him know everything was fine.
As the water trickled over his fur, A Tong relaxed. His eyes widened with wonder, and he looked around at the water’s shimmer. Mali cleaned his fur softly, using her fingers to comb through the bits of leaves and dust he’d picked up since birth. She was patient and gentle, and A Tong felt safe and loved. A few other monkeys from their troop gathered nearby, curious and amused at the little one’s first bath.
After his bath, Mali wrapped him in her arms, and together they climbed back up to the treetop. The sunlight now filtered through the canopy, warming A Tong’s damp fur. He began to feel very cool and refreshed, swaying gently in the breeze as he nestled against his mother. His eyes fluttered with sleepiness, but his heart was full of excitement. The bath had been a new experience—strange at first, but very nice in the end.
Back in the treetop, A Tong yawned, curled his tail, and snuggled into the crook of a branch where his mother placed him. His fur puffed out in all directions, still a little damp, but shiny and clean. Mali smiled and sat beside him, picking bits of fruit from a nearby vine.
A Tong had survived his first bath and was now the talk of the morning among the monkey troop. He was clean, he was cozy, and, most of all, he was very cool after bath morning.
