by Sarah Lean
“A tiger?” gasped Tiger. She had never heard anything so spellbinding.
“Yes, a real tiger. The most beautiful creature I had ever seen. Can you imagine how that felt?” said May Days.
Tiger nodded, shook her head, nodded again. “I don’t know, but you must have been scared,” she said, unzipping the tent.
“Yes, at first, because she looked me right in the eye to show me how mighty and brave she was,” said May Days, opening her arms wide. Tiger came out of the tent, still holding Monday, and climbed on to her grandmother’s lap.
“You remind me of that tiger,” said May Days. “How brave and strong you have been to take care of that little wartie.”
“What happened with the tiger?” said Tiger.
“She turned and walked away,” said May Days. “I have loved and respected all animals since, their strengths and their weaknesses, which make them what they are.”
Tiger curled into May Days.
“It’s so hard to choose my favourite animal at the moment,” said Tiger, holding Monday tight.
“You are allowed to love as many creatures as you like,” said May Days. “But the biggest thing an animal trainer has to learn, is to let them go when it’s time.”
Tiger touched her pocket of Tiger Bravery. She had more than enough now.
Dennis walked back from the kitchen and smiled at Tiger.
“I love Monday,” she said, finally handing over the little warthog.
“I know,” said May Days.
“Be brave, Monday,” said Tiger, giving her handfuls of invisible Warthog Bravery. “You’ll make new warthog friends at the zoo and I promise to come and visit you.” She would miss the naughty, adorable wartie so very badly, but Tiger knew she had to let her go.
“I saw another real tiger today,” said May Days. “Perhaps the bravest I ever saw.”
“Where?” said Tiger. “Is there one here at Willowgate?”
“Yes,” said May Days. “And I hope she will come and visit me all the time now.”
Mr Days arrived to collect Tiger and drive her home. Tiger showed her dad the tent where she’d been sleeping and pointed out the scary Staring Oat Shed and warned him to keep well away. Tiger wanted her dad to meet Holly, but couldn’t find her anywhere …
Finally, it was time to say goodbye and as they drove away from Willowgate House, Tiger waved and waved through the rear window to May Days, Tom Henry Thomas and Grumps.
“Did you enjoy your adventure at Willowgate?” said Mr Days.
“It was very skew-whiff,” said Tiger. “But I didn’t mind at all.”
Holly was sitting by the gate as they left, her tail curling gently as if she was also beckoning Tiger to come back another day. Tiger had a feeling that the cat would be there when she returned. Her tummy fluttered a little as she wondered, who else might be visiting Willowgate the next time she came?
About the Author
SARAH LEAN’S fascination with animals began when she was aged eight and a stray cat walked in the back door and decided to adopt her. As a child she wanted to be a writer and used to dictate stories to her mother, until she bought a laptop of her own several years ago and decided to type them herself. She loves her garden, art, calligraphy and spending time outdoors. She lives in Dorset and shares the space around her desk with her dogs, Harry and Coco.
www.sarahlean.co.uk
Also by Sarah Lean
For older readers:
A Dog Called Homeless
A Horse for Angel
The Forever Whale
Jack Pepper
Hero
Harry and Hope
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