A man sitting lazily in a chair sat up straight, taking notice of the adult tiger strolling by. Not five feet away it stopped, and locked eyes with him.
"Nick! can you get that beast to lie down, and let a little kid sit next to it? While a toddler climbs on its back? Preferably without eating anyone! Especially me..." said Brian Sputtzer, the famous director.
"Sure, Boss. Velvet here is just a big kitten. Aren't you, girl?" said the animal trainer, as he knelt down to hug the massive tiger's neck.
"Very funny. But could you please move your love fest a little further away? I don't fancy becoming cat food if she gets hungry." said the director,
The big cat purred, and Nick chuckled. "Let's go get some water." he suggested, leading her towards their trailer.
An hour later:
"Take one. Action!"
The film crew surrounded the massive tigress and the two children, as they picnicked in a beautiful meadow, full of wildflowers. Both children fed her, and the youngest one climbed on her back, giggling when she stood up. He wrapped his tiny hands in her fur, and had a short ride before sliding off, with a squeal of delight.
Four hours later:
"Take twenty one. Action!"
Velvet was fast asleep in the meadow, the three year old boy curled up next to her. He stirred at the director's voice, but didn't open his eyes.
"Wake up, Casey!" exclaimed the girl next to him, as she gave his rib a good hard poke. She was perhaps five, and her eyes were also heavy.
"Leave me alone, Diane." grumbled the younger child, as he pushed her away.
"Cut! We can switch to a different scene. Let's film the distraught mother and the officials searching the park." said Brian Sputtzer.
He knew that he had some incredible footage of the three, and that it would only get better as they bonded. He also knew that sleepy toddlers were time bombs waiting to explode with ear piercing screams.
"A smart man knows when to wrap it up for the day." he thought to himself, smiling.
A small, middle aged woman slowly and nervously approached the trio. She stopped one step away, trembling.
"Here, let me get him." the animal trainer said kindly, as he scooped up the toddler, and handed him to his mother.
"Thank you, Sir. Diane, it's time to go." said the woman, obviously relieved.
"Goodbye, Velvet." said Diane, as she kissed the tiger's huge forehead.
Velvet opened her eyes to slits, and rumbled a loud purr. The vibration on her lips made Diane giggle.
"If you won't be needing us again today, we'll be packing up?" asked Nick, as he gently rubbed Velvet's ears.
"Stick around. I might want to do that sunset scene later. The one with the jump to the top of Carver's Rock." said the director, with authority.
"Yes, Sir." he replied, looking doubtfully at his sleepy friend.
Two months later:
"Take five. Action!"
A little boy cries as his sister pulls him away from a huge motionless tiger, with a dart sticking out of her left shoulder. "Will I ever see her again?" he asks, sniffling.
"Of course, she's going back to the zoo. We can visit any time we want to. But we can't pet her anymore." said the girl, a single tear running down her cheek.
"Cut! That's a wrap!" announced the director, a huge smile on his face.
Nick walked over and gently worked the glue out of Velvet's fur, while she patiently licked her paw. Once the fake dart was removed, he buckled on her collar, and she stood up.
The two children ran over and hugged her tightly. "Bye Velvet, I'm going to miss you." whispered the girl.
"I'm glad she made such good friends." said Nick, smiling.
"Can we see her again?" asked the girl, tears streaming down her face.
"Of course, you can come see her anytime. Just let me know when!" he replied, genuinely touched by their bond to Velvet.
"Mom will never let us. She's afraid of Velvet." said Casey sadly.
"I know, but we can try. And she doesn't have to go near her. Dad could even take us. He'd probably love to meet Velvet." replied Diane hopefully.
Forty minutes later:
"Would you like another piece of cake, young lady?" asked a caterer.
"No thank you, Ma'am. But may I please have a few pieces of roast beef?"
"Would you like some bread with it?" she asked, as she sliced off several large pieces.
"No thank you. This is perfect, thank you." Diane replied with a smile.
She quietly left the main trailer, and made her way by moonlight to the animal trainer's tiny trailer.
"Hey, Velvet. I've got something from the party for you." she said, smiling as the tiger looked up and purred.
She opened the latch, and out came the tiger, sniffing at her pockets.
"Let's go to the meadow where we met, and eat it there." suggested the tiny girl, who wasn't even eye level with the tiger.
She turned around, and walked out. Velvet followed.
Soon they were in the meadow, and Velvet located the familiar spot, and settled in.
Diane curled up next to her. "Isn't this a lot more fun without everyone around telling us what to do?" she asked, as she fed the huge tiger tiny bits of roast beef by hand, giggling each time the rough tongue slid across her hand. When it was all gone, both child and tiger fell asleep, curled up together under the moonlight.
To be continued!
Describe what you see:
I see a tiger on a leash, with what is perhaps a trailer in the background.
Describe what you feel:
I feel like the tiger is extraordinarily well behaved, perhaps trained to star in movies.
Picture source and participation link