The Funny Tiger(Debra Widdicombe) My soft paws could feel the cool earth beneath the layer of leaves of the Mondulkiri Protected Forest. The shadows of the tall trees formed stripes across my body, hiding me from the prying eyes of potential predators. I knew how to keep quiet and slink along as I walked along the narrow path.
What was going through my head? Well, it was simply that humans consider Tigers to be the most iconic of the big cats. Yes, we’re iconic! With our gorgeous black-and-orange coats and long, white whiskers, we evoke in many a feeling of wonder and admiration. It feels good to be admired even if you are a little overweight from eating a few too many rodents, birds, reptiles, and other small animals. I may need to go on a fad diet or one of those popular weight loss diets in Hollywood.
Suddenly, I hear the sound of human activity nearby. A saw is cutting through the thick trunk of an old tree in the forest. I drop down and creep forward. Two men are sweating as they try and get through the trunk. I smell their sweat, which reeks in the otherwise clean smell of my forest. I consider jumping out and scaring them because then I could smell the fear on them. I decided against it because some of these illegal loggers have guns, and I am no match for bullets. Although I enjoyed watching The Matrix movie series, I doubt I could dodge bullets as effectively as Neo. I turn and quietly return to the forest.
Behind me, I hear another rustle and feel a sharp point in my hide. Did someone just shoot a dart into this iconic big cat? Meow! I feel my lids begin to close gently as I sink down in a heap on the forest floor.
The next time I wake up, I’m in a large enclosure that feels oddly like a zoo. I struggle to get up and shake my foggy head. I hear children shouting excitedly and pointing at me. I’m not in a good mood and want to go somewhere private, away from these viewing areas. I see a small doorway at the back of the enclosure and head back there. As I cross the threshold, two large amber eyes with black irises stare back at me with curiosity.
‘Who are you?’ I blurt out aghast. A stranger has been put in this enclosure with me. I can’t run away as I would in my natural forest habitat. I’m forced to remain near him. He keeps quiet and observes me then responds in a deep rumbling voice.
‘I’m Tigger.’ I burst out laughing, thinking he’s having me on.
‘For real, they call you Tigger here.’
‘Yup, too many kids reading Winnie-the-Pooh these days, I guess.’ He is referring to the fictional character created by A. A. Milne. A friend of Pooh, who just turned up outside his front door, in a similar manner to how this real-life Tigger is just turning up in front of me.
‘Well, I don’t want to share my enclosure with you. Please go somewhere else.’ I show my displeasure at being lumped in the same enclosure with this unfamiliar male.
‘Too bad. They put us together to mate and have cubs, lots of cubs.’ I drew in a sharp breath. I have to do the deed with this large creature? This is an arranged marriage, one that I had no choice in. I want to be taken back to my forest habitat to roam freely and live the life I was happy with, not have tiger cubs with this stranger. He gives me a wink and a sardonic smile. I turn and walk away, back towards the screeching children, and lie down next to the bamboo in the enclosure. The cameras and mobile phones continue to click away at me, as I am the only exposed tiger in the enclosure. So, this is my life now, stuck in a small space with a disagreeable Tigger! I try and fall asleep but I’m woken up at night by an owl flying overhead. I saw many owls in the forest, but this one is different.
He alights on a branch in my enclosure and starts talking to me.
‘How are you doing, my big, beautiful cat?’ This sounds like a chat-up line in a local bar.
‘Fine, and you, scruffy old owl?’ The owl laughs out loud, a hearty and refreshing sound.
‘Still got your big girl pants on, eh? You want to get back to the forest?’ My ears prick up at his comment.
‘Yes, of course. Do you have any idea how I can get out of here?’
‘I have an escape plan that involves a few other animals in the zoo, but the only catch is that Tigger has to be part of the gang.’
‘Tigger? No, we can leave him behind.’
‘Tigger must come with. It is his original plan.’ I roll my eyes and finally agree to go along with their elaborate escape plan. As much as I dislike Tigger, he could be my ticket out of there. I lope back towards Tigger. His lips curl up in a smile as I come through the door again.
‘You know why I’m here.’ He nods his head.
‘Let’s do it then,’ he replies. We both go outside and the animals are gathered around our enclosure. Tigger stands tall and commands the animals in the voice of the king of this jungle.
All the animals follow his commands and 20 of us manage to escape that awful zoo. We travel for days, hiding in the shadows until we finally reach my forest. It is as I remembered it, green and free.
Tigger and I look deeply into each other’s eyes and decide that we will stay together in the forest and have our cubs there.

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