Along the bank of the Luangwa River in Zambia is a troop of eighty or so baboons. This is the story of a family, and a young male baboon who faces difficult choices as he comes of age. It's the dry season, yet despite the drought, baboon babies are born. The baboons are entranced by newborns, particularly the baby born at the top of the social ladder. The monkeys queue to pet the new arrival. At the other end of the scale, the lowest mother in the hierarchy has also given birth. Only her eldest son is there to support her. He is eight, just a young adult, and he should be leaving the troop, but his mother and little brother need him.