As I Tuck You Into Bed: A Tiger's Tale

Tiger’s Tale A Priyanka Handa Ram

I l l u st r a t e d b y S a pn a Ke w a l ra ma n i Ma l h o tra

A TIGER’S TALE Text Copyright © Priyanka Handa Ram, 2019 Illustration Copyright © Sapna Kewalramani, 2019 ISBN 978-99968-0-994-6 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the author.

This book is dedicated to my children, Aanavi & Yuvaan, and to children across the world who fiercely love and protect our planet.

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand and we will understand only what we are taught.” (Baba Dioum) - Priyanka Handa Ram

To my circle of mums (including Priyanka Handa Ram) who inspire me everyday with their creativity and love.

We smile and grow together through our ‘Little Monks’ who I hope never lose their imagination, courage and determination.

- Sapna Kewalramani Malhotra

As I tuck you into bed, I give you a kiss on your forehead.

You tell me it’s story time now, So I begin with a tiger’s growl…

Little Monk was going to sleep, When through the window he saw a stripe peep.

A sweet sounding roar purred through the curtain, It’s not a dream, of that he was certain!

A tiger crept up the monastery walls, Pawing gently in case she falls.

Ducking between the jasmine trees, She could hear monks chanting through the breeze.

Little Monk dashed to his window and out popped his eyes, A tiger stared back at him, much to his surprise.

Her size should have scared him, for she was grand!

But her smile gave him comfort and she shook his hand.

She roared her sweet roar, and I promise this is true, Said, ‘My name is Sherni, and who are you?’

He told her he’s a monk and asked her, ‘Why are you here?’

Sherni began her story in a voice quite sincere.

‘I come from a country far, far away.

I’ve prowled the Earth to find a place to stay.

In the land I call home, tigers are hunted, Instead of protected, our skin and bones are wanted.’

‘Our Earth has so much joy to give, Yet we’re running out of space to live.

Trees are being cut, our jungles are no more, Replaced by buildings, roads, and humans galore!’

‘No territory to traipse, no animals to hunt, We soon may be extinct,’ Sherni was blunt!

‘We need your help, our dear Little Monk, Together we can solve this!’ she said with spunk.

‘In your homeland, all around it is green, Tigers splash in rivers filled with water so clean.

Flowers blossom - nature thrives, That’s all it takes and everyone survives!’

‘Here you have the perfect balance to coexist, With people, nature and all creatures in your midst.

Can you help us tigers live without fear?’

She pleaded to Little Monk with a tear.

‘Greedy humans build, build, build, The Earth is empty but their pockets are filled!

Our bodies are used to make medicine, trophies and fashion lines This is not part of nature’s original design!’

‘More than half the world’s jungles have been slashed, And into the river, tonnes of rubbish is splashed.

Instead of bright blossoms, all you see is brown.

A barren ground, and buildings of a town.’

Little Monk was determined, but what could he do?

Pondering all day, the tiger’s tale made him blue.

He thought about the jungles, the place the tigers call home, He knew that without them, they’d have nowhere to roam.

Later that night, he couldn’t sleep, Even though he’d counted 1235 sheep.

Strolling outside, he sat down under the moon, Praying and meditating, chanting in tune.

Sherni heard his chant from afar, Bouncing back, she carried a star.

Little Monk asked, ‘Where did you get this? How and why?’

Sherni whispered, ‘Animals are the protectors of the sky!’

‘This is a star to wish upon.’ she said, She made him close his eyes and placed it on his head.

Right between his eyebrows, above his nose, For this is where our magic energy grows.

Little Monk wished to save the roaring creatures, He sought blessings from all the Great Teachers.

His magic energy shone through his face, As if the night sky held him in embrace.

A mantra was whispered from the star to his ear, And by tiger spirits that were roaming near.

A plan was formed that made them feel overjoyed To plant trees where they were once destroyed.

Little Monk campaigned across the Earth with a message to give He went door to door explaining tigers’ right to live.

He spoke to children, governments, even a queen and king, They all championed for Sherni and said justice they would bring.

Impressed by Little Monk, they started to clap, For fighting for tigers on a global map.

Little Monk & Sherni made an international plea: For everyone in Sherni’s land to plant a tree.

108,000 trees were planted by the people, With gratitude, Little Monk bowed at the steeple.

Forests will bloom and flourish all around, Sherni’s homeland will be safe and sound.

‘What a wonderful home I have,’ he thought, ‘Where happiness thrives and doesn’t need to be taught.

Here nature is part of the country’s law.’

He races off to shake Sherni’s paw.

Little Monk was enveloped in Sherni’s embrace, She thanked him for his wisdom and grace.

Strong like mountains, Little Monk admires, The dazzling stripes and gentle roar of tigers.

That night, on a mountain top, Sherni felt blessed.

She growled and prowled with pride and zest!

Sherni returned home, pawing across the world, On this new green Earth, she danced and twirled.