Tiger Moon

That Time Before my Birth

Two male tigers prowled alongside a riverbank, stalking a great elk. Their huge paws made no sound under the round, glowing moon as they stealthily crept up on the unaware creature. Swiftly, they pounced, their jaws expecting to sink their fangs into the sweet flesh.

Instead, they knocked into each other, furious as the startled elk loped away easily. Both tigers' ears flattened and raised their hackles.

"That was my prey!" Snarled the larger green eyed cat. "You'll have to pay."

"No, it was mine!" The amber eyed tiger with a crooked tail insisted. "You stole my prey."

Tired of arguing, the two huge cats leaped at each other, rolling into a heap if claws and teeth. The forest green grass was stained blood red as they broke apart, only to launch themselves at their opponent once more, chests heaving from the pain.

A snap of bone suddenly pierced the silence of the peaceful rain forest, sending a shower of tropical birds and raindrop from the canopy as the victor stood over the limp body of the other tiger, his green eyes glazed and jaws fixed into a defiant snarl. He raised his head into a victorious roar, echoing his victory for miles.

Suddenly, clearing went dark. He twisted his great head to watch the disappearing moon. Soon, the clouds parted and the forest screamed in terror. Their beloved moon was no longer pure and shining silver, but stained the color of blood red.

At first sight, the tiger sprinted, head ducked in horror and whimpering for forgiveness.

As he neared an area with particularly tall grass, he heard something that made chills shake up his body, worse than the blood-red moon. It was the mewl of a newborn cub.