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.

Stephen Abelsohn custom design Africa  Safari  and South Africa Tours:

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