The Lost Macaque
Trust begins with a simple hand
Kindness is never inconsequential.
🪨
An unfamiliar presence stirred the quiet street at dawn, wandering, hesitant, in the December cold .
Turned away by those it trusted - because it was tiny.
A lone primate in unfamiliar territory.
Residents in the surrounding apartment block stuck their curious heads out of windows.
Whispering and labelling the unwanted visitor.
🪨
The little macaque reached for small comforts - the inconsequential things.
Grabbing fruit that hung from tree branches.
Startling a dog.
Grabbing a child's sandwich.
Under everyone's watchful eyes -
And misdirected gestures.
Then, a little boy's hand reached out.
With bread - a slice of hope.
A piece of trust--
Wanted for too long.
🪨
"Here," the young boy's voice -
Naive and innocent.
The macaque paused--
Then slowly fingered the bread.
The boy's hand - all the time warm, outstretched.
The residents still peeked out of windows.
Watching - with no offering.
The macaque grabbed the bread, squeaking in thanks.
🪨
The macaque stayed near the boy, fingering the bread in his hand.
The boy eyed it with patient, unfettered calm.
Hand outstretched, waiting.
The observers at the window watched, hands withdrawn.
The macaque savoured the bread - a rare piece of welcome.
🪨
From that day, the macaque trailed the branches in the trees lining the street.
Always near the boy.
Who always had a piece of bread in an outstretched hand.
The observers watched --
Their gazes were soft, with curious warmth.
There was a piece of bread -
At least one.
🪨
For Mikeydred's December Prompt:
About the Creator
Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin
Hi, i am an English Language teacher cum freelance writer with a taste for pets, prose and poetry. When I'm not writing my heart out, I'm playing with my three dogs, Zorra, Cloudy and Snowball.
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Comments (5)
Well-wrought! You could develop this into a tale of how the monkey saves the boy one day because it lingers near him and happens to be in the right place at the right time, or something like that. Would make a good children's book, perhaps, and complete the moral tale!
Michelle, this is such a sweet, heartwarming story. Thank goodness for the outstretched hand of a boy!🥰
Awww, that boy is sooo kind despite being so young. I'm grateful for him. Loved your story!
The monkey is lucky. He has people who cannot find a breath for their own soul. Love and compassion are life-giving in our days — in these very difficult days that are coming. :)
This is so heart warming and gentle.