While You Still Can | Teen Ink

While You Still Can

April 2, 2019
By ladybug9697 BRONZE, Brownsburg, Indiana
ladybug9697 BRONZE, Brownsburg, Indiana
1 article 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Broken isn't the same as unfixable." Marissa Meyer (Winter)


Morning. The mud felt wonderous against my skin. I purred in pleasure and twisted my body so that my other side was covered with the cool substance. I opened my eyes; the world was a rosy color that lightened the rocks and fake trees of the cage. Idris, the male tiger that sat on the opposite side of the enclosure, swung his tail lazily. He appeared here a week ago. His stark-white fur contrasted sharply with my orange and black coat. I rolled my body in the dirt once more, basking in the only positive part of my day, and sat up abruptly. I shook myself, brown chunks flecked off my body. Idris growled at my sudden movement.

“Sorry.” I snarled back. He pursed his lips and muttered something illegible as he settled back down. I stood lethargically and sauntered over to the watering hole. I stuck my pink tongue in the clouded water and inhaled. The cool liquid swirled down my throat, relieving my parched body. A loud banging sound drew my attention to the wall in front of me. I prowled closer. They say that a caged tiger is dangerous. I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t true. Two-legged animals stared at me in front of the glass. Their eyes widen in apprehension and awe. They point at my ebony stripes and marvel at my fiery fur. While, I’ve always admired attention, I resent being show-cased like some exotic thing that came across the waters. I despise the animals that look at me, watch me, haunt me. In my dreams, I frolicked in diverse jungles and flat plains, finally free. But I open my eyes to eyes staring back at me. In front of the glass, I saw one of the two-legged beasts. It was smaller than the others, though, a runt. It was adorned in some outfit that matched shockingly with my fur. I stalked over to the glass.

            “Run, little one.” I growled. “While you still can.”


The author's comments:

This is from the perspective of a caged tiger. I always wondered how an animal would feel about being isolated like a prisoner and displayed like an attraction. So, I wrote an anectdote about an animal trapped in a zoo. 


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This article has 8 comments.


tknobel said...
on Apr. 23 2019 at 5:24 am
tknobel, Rochester, New York
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments
Awesome story, very well written. Soooo much talent

on Apr. 17 2019 at 8:16 am
rainbowkittyelf, Luminaria, New York
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
Absolutely splendid! The word choice was marvelous and I loved how we got to see and feel what the tiger felt.

on Apr. 14 2019 at 6:45 pm
unicornpal714, Paradise, Ohio
0 articles 1 photo 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
"You can help me pick out a tiara when we're done saving the world."

I LOVED this story! It has a lot of mystery and intrigue, and I enjoyed figuring out who the narrator was, and what her history was.

on Apr. 14 2019 at 4:59 pm
ladybug9697 BRONZE, Brownsburg, Indiana
1 article 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Broken isn't the same as unfixable." Marissa Meyer (Winter)

Thank you guys so much!! Your comments are so thoughtful and nice!!

Racered said...
on Apr. 14 2019 at 9:02 am
Racered, Tennyson, Indiana
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments
I really like this story. It makes me feel like I'm the animal in the cage too. Please post more!!!!

micahknobel said...
on Apr. 13 2019 at 10:11 pm
micahknobel, Brownsburg, Indiana
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments
I loved how you were able to BE the animal. It's amazing. I didnt realize you weren't human at first. Great work! Can't wait to read more from you.

Ohnmeissk said...
on Apr. 13 2019 at 8:57 am
Ohnmeissk, Atwater, Ohio
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
This was great! I want to hear more about your protagonist, her background... what happens next? Definitely hooked your reader!

KooRusher said...
on Apr. 13 2019 at 8:03 am
KooRusher, Brownsburg, Indiana
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
I really like this story. I was hooked from the first sentence and was not quite sure whon the character was at first. I liked how you introduced everything. Nicely done, please post more of your works.