Oh No No Libby, Don’t Try to Take Baby to Swim in Deep Water! Poor Baby Rainbow Nearly Drowning in Water
The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves, chirping birds, and the chattering of macaques as they went about their day. Near a shallow creek, where the troop often played and cooled off from the midday heat, an alarming scene suddenly unfolded—one that could have ended in heartbreak.
Libby, a young and overly curious female monkey, had always shown an interest in the babies of the troop. Though she had no baby of her own, she often hovered near mothers, hoping to groom, cuddle, or even carry the infants when no one was looking. Most of the time, her efforts were harmless—awkward, maybe, but not dangerous. However, on this particular afternoon, her eagerness nearly turned into a tragedy.
Little Rainbow, a fragile and sweet baby just a few months old, was resting peacefully under the watchful eye of her adoptive mother, Katrina. Rainbow had been orphaned early in life, and Katrina had stepped in to raise her with great care and affection. She never let the baby out of sight, especially near water, where dangers lurked even in shallow pools.
But on this day, as Katrina stepped away for just a moment to gather fruit, Libby saw an opportunity. She crept close to Rainbow, who was resting on a warm patch of moss near the edge of the creek. The baby looked up and chirped softly, recognizing Libby’s face—familiar, but not quite safe.
Libby, driven by excitement and perhaps a misguided desire to “play mother,” gently scooped Rainbow into her arms. She cooed softly, rocking the baby and looking around nervously. But instead of taking her somewhere safe, she did something completely unexpected—she headed toward the water.
The creek, though calm on the surface, had a deeper section where the current ran stronger beneath the rocks. Libby, unaware of the danger, stepped into the water with Rainbow clinging to her chest. She seemed to think this would be a fun bath or an imitation of how mothers sometimes cooled their babies. But she was no experienced mother. And the water was much deeper than she realized.
As she stepped farther in, Rainbow began to panic. The baby’s tiny arms flailed, and soft squeals of fear echoed through the forest. Libby lost her footing for a moment, slipping on a mossy stone, and Rainbow’s head dunked under the water.
A sharp cry rang out.
From the trees above, Katrina came charging down with the fury of a mother protecting her child. Other monkeys looked on in shock as she splashed into the creek, shrieking loudly. Libby, now frightened and confused, tried to climb back up the bank, still holding Rainbow awkwardly. But it was too much for her. She dropped the baby.
For a moment, time stood still.
Rainbow tumbled into the water, struggling to stay afloat. Her cries were muffled by splashes, her tiny hands grasping desperately at nothing. But then Katrina arrived just in time. She plunged into the water, scooped Rainbow into her arms, and pulled her to safety.
Back on land, Katrina cradled the soaking wet baby, grooming her and holding her tightly. Rainbow coughed and clung to her adoptive mother, trembling but safe.
Libby, soaked and shaking herself, crouched nearby with her head down. She made soft, apologetic sounds, knowing she had gone too far.
The troop watched in silence. This wasn’t mischief—it was a mistake, one that could have cost a baby her life.
From that day forward, Katrina never let Rainbow out of her arms near water. Libby, humbled and quiet, stayed back. She had learned a hard lesson. Caring for a baby wasn’t just about affection—it was about knowing what they needed, and protecting them from harm.
And for little Rainbow, every breath she took that day was a reminder that real mothers don’t just hold tight—they never let go when it matters most.
