Lala was just a few months old when she first opened her bright, curious eyes to the world. With her soft, golden-brown fur and expressive little face, she was the epitome of innocence. Her life began in a small cage tucked away in a bustling marketplace. Born into captivity, she had never known the freedom of swinging through the trees or feeling the wind on her tiny face.
Her first owner, a street vendor named Ravi, saw Lala not as a living being but as an opportunity. Ravi made his living selling trinkets and small crafts, but he knew that a baby monkey could attract crowds. People would stop to admire the cute creature, their fascination often leading them to purchase his goods.
At first, Ravi treated Lala with care, feeding her bits of fruit and keeping her close. The marketplace was noisy, full of shouting voices, the clanging of metal, and the honking of rickshaws. Lala would cling tightly to Ravi’s shoulder, her wide eyes darting around at the chaos. Though frightened, she found some comfort in the rhythm of her new life.
But as the weeks turned into months, Ravi’s attention began to wane. The novelty of having a baby monkey wore off, and Lala was no longer a priority. She was given less food, left in her cage for hours, and rarely cleaned. Her once-shiny fur began to look dull, and her playful energy diminished.
One fateful day, Ravi’s circumstances worsened. His sales plummeted, and the cost of keeping Lala became an unbearable burden. With little thought, Ravi made a heartbreaking decision. Early one morning, before the marketplace awoke, he carried Lala in her cage to a desolate forest on the outskirts of the city.
“I can’t afford you anymore, little one,” he muttered, barely looking at the trembling monkey. He placed the cage on the ground, opened the latch, and walked away without a backward glance.
Lala was left alone, confused and frightened. She hesitated before stepping out of the cage, her tiny hands clutching at the unfamiliar grass beneath her. The forest was vast and unfamiliar, filled with sounds she had never heard before—chirping birds, rustling leaves, and the distant calls of wild animals.
