The jungle was calm. The trees swayed gently, and the light broke through the canopy in soft golden rays. But suddenly, a sharp, painful cry pierced the silence.
It wasn’t a call of play.
It wasn’t a call of hunger.
It was a cry of pain.
A baby monkey, no older than a few weeks, was curled under a large tree root, clutching the side of his face. His eye — his tiny, innocent eye — was red, swollen, and oozing. He let out a pitiful squeal that echoed into the forest:
“MOM… my eye… help me!”
But no one came.
No mother appeared.
No comforting arms wrapped around him.
No warmth, no care… only silence.
His name is Tiko, and his story has broken every heart that has heard it.
Rescuers believe Tiko may have injured his eye by accident — possibly scratched by a branch, stung by an insect, or even struck by a bigger monkey during play. However it happened, the pain was real. And worse… his mother had already abandoned him.
Tiko’s cries grew weaker. He rocked himself side to side, using his tiny fingers to rub the swollen area, not knowing it was only making things worse. Each time he whimpered, he looked around — still hoping someone, anyone, would help.
But there was only more jungle.
That’s when a field volunteer heard the sound.
At first, she thought it was a bird or a squirrel — but then she heard it again. A desperate, pleading squeal, sharp with pain. She followed the sound, pushing through tall grass and thorny vines. And then… she saw him.
Tiko was lying in the dirt. His face was dirty. His eye was swollen shut. And he had given up crying.
The rescuer knelt slowly. “Oh, baby…” she whispered. Tiko opened his one good eye and looked at her. He didn’t flinch. He didn’t run.
He just reached out.
That single movement — that desperate, silent call for help — was all it took.
She wrapped him in her scarf and carried him back to the mobile wildlife clinic, where the team immediately began cleaning and assessing the damage. His eye was in bad shape — inflamed, possibly infected, and extremely painful. The vet team gently applied medicine while speaking soft words of comfort.
But the most heartbreaking part? Tiko never stopped looking toward the door. Even in pain… he was still waiting for his mom.
💔 Days of Healing, Nights of Crying
In the following days, Tiko remained under close care. He was given warm formula, pain relief, and eye drops several times a day. The swelling began to go down. The infection began to fade.
But his spirit? That took longer.
At night, he would wake up and cry softly. Not in pain — but from loneliness. He’d crawl to the corner of his little nest, calling out in the dark:
“Mom…”
Volunteers took turns sleeping nearby, offering comfort. One caretaker even hummed to him until he fell asleep again.
Then something beautiful happened.
A slightly older baby monkey named Mira, also orphaned, was brought into Tiko’s area. At first, Tiko stayed quiet. But Mira approached slowly, gently sat beside him, and softly groomed his head — like a sister or a friend.
Tiko closed his eyes. And for the first time since his injury… he smiled.
🌈 From Pain to Hope
Now, weeks later, Tiko is recovering well. His eye has healed enough to open again. His vision may be slightly blurred, but his heart is whole.
He and Mira are now best friends. They eat together, sleep side by side, and even chase butterflies in the grass. Tiko no longer cries out in fear. He no longer searches for someone who won’t come.
Because now, he knows love.
🐒 Why Tiko’s Story Matters
Tiko’s cry — “Mom, my eye… help me!” — is more than just a sad moment. It’s the voice of every baby, animal or human, who has ever been hurt and left behind.
It reminds us of how fragile life is…
How powerful love can be…
And how even the smallest creature deserves care, healing, and hope.
Please share Tiko’s story. Let his voice be heard. Let the world know that even when pain is loud, compassion must be louder.