I recently was on a South Africa Safari in the Kruger National Park. We came across a troop of baboons that where by the side of the road.Some where busy grooming other baboons, others where sitting and watching life go by. Other where on guard for predators.
I noticed a young baby baboon that was precariously hanging onto some very thin weak looking branches at the end of a large branch of a tree.He was quite pleased with himself being able to hang on and stretch himself at all different angles.
Right after I took this photo, the little fellow did a face plant, he just fell flat on his face from about 15′ or so. There was a moment silence as he hit, lying flat out, legs and arms sprawled all over the place.
There was a collective unsaid sense amongst the older baboons who saw this, and I felt it as well…It went something like this…Ouch that hurt, nasty……..
For a moment since the little one did not move there was a sense of maybe this is worse of than it looked…and the closer in baboons stood up, and started to wander over towards the young one.
In a flash the little fellow jumped out, picked out a larger female in the troop, and proceeded to get involved with a hearty game of chase, which all the baboons joined in..Soon there where baboons all over the place, crashing through the brush, up and down trees,some where jumping up and down, like a cheering section..they where having a blast.
Moral of the story…When you are cant hang on any more and hit the wall, take a deep breath, and get up full of energy to move forward.Us humans we cant have as much fun as the little fellow did by chasing each other around,however we have other coping strategies that work for us.
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