Lucie grew up in the heart of the forest, surrounded by tall trees, soft sunlight, and the familiar sounds of wildlife. From the day she was born, her world felt warm and safe, even though something important was missing. She never knew her father. Her mother never spoke about him, and Lucie never asked. In her young mind, she believed her father was simply a strong male who had gone far away to protect the forest or find food. She imagined him as brave and kind, someone who would one day return.
As Lucie grew, she learned the ways of the wild from her mother and the troop. She watched how males competed for power, how some protected the young, and how others brought fear and danger. Still, she never connected those violent males with the idea of her father. To Lucie, a father was supposed to be gentle and caring, even if she had never experienced it herself.
One dry season, a powerful male appeared near the troop. He was aggressive, loud, and cruel. He chased the younger monkeys, stole food, and injured those who stood in his way. Fear spread quickly. Lucie noticed how her mother kept her close, her eyes filled with worry whenever the male came near. Something felt strange, but Lucie did not understand why.
The truth slowly revealed itself through whispers and warnings. The bad male was Lucie’s father. He was the one her mother had fled from long ago to protect her unborn child. He had never been a guardian, only a threat. Lucie felt confusion and sadness wash over her. The father she had imagined never existed.
With time, Lucie learned an important lesson of the wild: blood does not always mean love. Strength is not shown through fear and violence, but through care and protection. Though her father was a bad male, Lucie chose a different path. Surrounded by her mother and the troop, she grew stronger, wiser, and determined to become better than the past she never chose.
