The Tiger and the Leopardess

Book excerpt: An old hungry tiger is on the hunt for a meal. As darkness encroaches on the Malaysian jungle, the tiger hears a noise in the underbrush. While he hides behind a tree stump, the creature seems to creep away into the night. But just as he emerges from his hiding spot, he sees the eyes of a black leopard. Who dares stalk the king of the jungle? After the leopard runs off, the tiger, who is reluctant to take risks at his age, decides not to pursue it. As he continues his quest for food, the tiger is soon successful in capturing a meal. Now satiated, the tiger settle near a glade as dusk approaches once again. When he sees the leopard sitting across the glade, the tiger soon realizes it is a female and she is in heat. In a jungle devoid of male leopards, the leopardess lies in wait, knowing the tiger is her nemesis. But as the tiger begins to leave her portions from his hunts, the leopardess is left wondering whether she can trust her mortal enemy. In this poignant folk tale, an old tiger and a suspicious leopardess meet in a jungle where they must decide whether hate or love will dominate their relationship.