By Diviya Dutta Choudhury , 13 years, Jamnabai Narsee School
The forest was a flurry of motion
Until the lion halted the commotion .
He held back his regal head and roared,
Among the animals order was restored.
“I fear for the fading forest”, he began
“It won’t survive interference by man
Intrude on our territory and when we fuss
They just man handle all of us!”
Said the black bear, “I quite agree
Listen for a while and bear up with me
I must recount my tragic story
I hope you won’t find it too gory.
The human ‘race’ they’re called”, he said,
Because of the speed with which they leave us dead
I’m poached for my gall bladder and skin
My bile and meat are put in a tin.”
“For tonic, my fat and bone glue
That’s what makes me feel so blue.
I hardly like to take a nap
For the fear of a dreadful box-trap.”
Suddenly came a primeval call
It seemed to say – “Listen you all
This is my year 2010
Save the Tiger say all men.”
“But still my future is looking bleak
My numbers lessen every week
They’ve killed off all my family
The Caspians, the Javans and cousins from Bali .
They had courage, strength and cunning,
But got defeated by inhuman gunning
Don’t humans know - The tiger is top of the food chain
Without us jungle life just cannot sustain.”
“What a struggle for existence,
Get electrocuted by a fence,
Or get a bullet through the head,
While drinking at the water bed.
They don’t care about my depression
Because they are still under the superstitious impression
That laziness is cured by an ointment of tiger brain!
Evil spirits scared of my bones, isn’t that insane?”
“The shrinking space and shortage of food
Habitat encroachment isn’t that rude?
The frequent forest fires and diminishing tree cover.
Doesn’t this disgust any animal lover?”
A little tiger cub piped in eagerly
“I’ve heard about this company
I’m sure they are on our side
They realize how many of us have died.
They maybe mere children, but they are smart
They know that in the world we ALL make a part.
The man animal conflict is real; but they’ll make it okay”
‘Kids for Tigers‘ we are on our way!
