The Friendship Tiger

The Friendship Tiger

The Tiger

I'm Libby Forecast, the world war started when I was five-years-old. I'm the only child in the world.

My father died in 1825, until my mother married again, my new father is called Paul. Paul hates children, he didn't realise Mum had a child until he moved in.

I would sit in the fields and dream I had a best friend, no-body in the world yet had a child only my mother. “All I wish is for a best friend, I love my family, but I want a friend, it's not much” I would groan sadly. Elephants were trooping down the dusty path, I always thought I'd be a good friend to them but they ignored my pleads to be friends and stomped on.

Sometimes I'd look at a muddy and dusty place where the world war was going on. The clattering worried me about our soldiers. The other countries were throwing bricks at the army and soldiers. “Mum, Mum the army will get hurt” I yelled franticly. “There's nothing we can do Libby!!! Let the stupid army get hurt!” Snapped Paul unkindly.

I would look at the army carefully and scan them, I had always wanted to save a tiger! I looked at the fields down near the waterhole. I suddenly gasped and saw a beautiful female tiger, her cub was covered in mud. It's mother got it and dropped it in the water until he came out of the it.

I ran inside until a shout made me pause. “I've got a beauty!!!” Paul cried as my mother came into the storage room. A female tiger just like the one I'd saw before was now shot and done fore, “Dad you killed a babies mother!” I sobbed quietly. I started crying, then a saw the cub. I ran downstairs to pick it up, the cub jumped into my warm hands. “Hello, I'm Libby” I whispered. I felt my heart pounding rapidly as the cub came in with me. “Mum this is the cub, please let it stay! Paul shot the Mum!” Libby pleaded sadly. “Dear I don't know, well, maybe.........OK” My mother decided, as she looked into the tigers great blue eyes.

“I wonder what I should call you?” I thought dreamily, “Stripe” I nodded finally. So Stripe and me went everywhere together. Anywhere I went, Stripe went.

I showed Stripe the army and how Africa would be endangered if it weren't for them. I held Stripe's paw as if I'd known him for years.

I started to think Stripe was in the family now. We would be brother and sister, but of course best friends. I think Stripe is better for a friend than a human because humans aren't always be playful, Stripe is.

Paul doesn't like Stripe and wants to take him away. Stripe was beginning to grow now. Even though he was a cub Mum says he's looking like a big boy.

Stripe was always snuggling up to me. “Libby Forecast! Put the cub down!” Paul ordered bossily. My trembling hands clung on to Stripe, gently I tucked him in my cardigan. “Stripe” I frowned, my stepfather smiled smirkingly as he saw the shivering Stripe in my cardigan. Stripe slunk back down only deeper into my cardigan. “Dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Echoed Mum down the hall.

I gulped franticly and ran to dinner.

Evacuated

Mum ate slowly. “Anything wrong Amelia?” Paul asked gulping down the food, “No Paul, don't worry I was in a daydream” Murmured Mum quickly.

I was approaching the table when Mum sighed “Libby, we'll miss you lots” Mum kissed me on the the cheek. “Mum what's happening?” I wondered.

Mum did sad things the long way just to make sure I understood, but this time I didn't, I hadn't a clue what Mum was explaining. “I don't understand a word” I cried. “Libby, you're going to be evacuated” Mum nodded.

I knew what evacuated meant. “Where am I going” I breathed. “London” Mum replied.

Mum's story made my tears fall like puddles. My mother cuddled me closely, “What will happen to Stripe?” I sobbed, “He's out of here!!!” Snapped Paul.

I screamed and became bright red. “Libby calm down” Mum told me seriously. With a flick of my wrist I felt ill.

I packed my stuff in a suitcase. “You'll be coming home after the world war” Mum smiled, she patted me on the back and I ran out into the world to find a train. The station was far from mine so my legs ached!!! I met people on the way “Libby you're evacuated, huh?” An old man croaked “Y...yes” I stammered.

I walked 10 miles until I reached the station. I ran onto the train “London” I sighed “That's in England, I'll be miles from home”

I didn't enjoy the bumps, I felt homesick and travel sick. My eyes filled with tears, “Lovely family, lovely pets, lovely culture, lovely people, lovely home but horrible train ride” I whispered.

An old lady peered at me, her eyes were sharp. Her wrinkled and bony hands were clutching a case.

I suddenly reached the planes then hopped on and flew over mountains the plane was disgusting the floor was tattered with trays and food.

I gazed at London once I got out. London looked awesome, I found a pile of leaves in a nearby leafy park and laid on them until I stared up and saw a police officer “What brings you here, in London alone?” He asked, “I'm from Africa” I grinned “Evacuated, huh?” He replied “Yes” I shivered.

The police officer took me to his office. I slept in a lovely room with a bed. “After sunset you're to come back here!” The officer exclaimed. So I set off to look for people to talk to. “I wish Stripe was here, lovely tiger” I thought out loud to myself. No children were there, but you know I was used to it!!!

The sun was settling down for a good deep dream so I raced back to the police station. I laid on the soft bed and fell asleep. I had a wonderful dream. It was Stripe running to London to take me home. I woke all excited but when I fell out of bed I knew it had to be a dream.

I smiled at the sight of a young woman watching me from the gates. “Come on sweetheart, don't be afraid” I lurched over to the young woman and she pulled me out “I'm Stacey Pip” The lady grinned gently putting me on the ground. Me and Stacey stuck together like glue, honestly! I didn't leave her for one second!!!!! Stacey had told the police officer that I would be back later than usual, she wanted me to see something, we travelled out of London to a seaside.

Stacey ran along a sandy beach, I held her hand and together we sat on a rock watching the sunset. Stacey felt like my mother.

I dreamed Stacey could come back with me! But no, Africa's too dangerous! Also she needs a good culture like England a dusty field full of corn isn't good for a beautiful, young, helpful woman like Stacey.

“Shall you be getting to bed” Yawned Stacey, “NO! Stacey please, not at the police office. Stacey stared at me thoughtfully, “You're gonna come home with me” Decided Stacey. So Stacey talked to the police “You'll be my abandoned daughter!” Stacey laughed.

I loved Stacey being here with me. She was a beautiful woman.

One day Stacey showed me the wildlife it was lovely.

I lived with Stacey until the world war stopped. It was a miracle living with her, but I'd almost forgotten Stripe.

Hometime

It was now a year I hadn't seen my real family.

Stripe was already 1-year-old and I bet no-one even cared, I would of! I asked Stacey if she liked tigers and she asked why but I said nothing because I thought it would sound stupid. I knew I could tell Stacey about Stripe, but I never did, he was private and I wondered if Stacey would pass it on.

My bag packing was beginning once again. “Stacey, I'll miss you” I sighed squeezing her tightly “Oh dear, well times come and go in life and that's one lesson I've got to learn like people live and die” Stacey sweetly told me.

“I'll always remember you” I promised stuffing my bag with my photos. “It's fine I have company.” Stacey nodded.

My hands were shivering with sadness as I stared at Stacey's tearful eyes as she watched me pack.

The time was 10.00 and I knew that I had 15 minutes till the plane landed “I've got to be strong, I can't pull you back like this! I've got to let you grow, I can't raise you up forever” Stacey yelled falling on her knees. The poor Stacey had now collapsed and I had not a clue where the phone was. I finally found the telephone on the table and I called the ambulance, they drove me to the airport quickly before they raced into hospital. I had said goodbye to Stacey and I wandered into the plane.

I was beginning to fall asleep and I did. It took us a week on the plane and luckily at 8.30 we managed to bundle onto the train. I enjoyed it more this time because the streets were flattened down and were smoother than you can imagine.

I found myself passing the same old streets and the same houses and thankfully I was in my home town in Africa. “HOME!!!” I screeched leaping out the train. My house was round the corner so I took myself there. My mother and stepfather were waiting patiently for me on the driveway. I grabbed a handful of corn and threw it up in the air as I raced for my family.

I loved being home again but my mind was set on Stripe “Where's Stripe?” I feared, launching out of my chair “HE'S GONE!!!!!!” Scolded Paul.

After a few bits of corn to eat I raced to the far field, it was called Freaky field because it was probably the most teeth chattering place in Africa.

The air stunk with smoke from guns, “Hunters” I breathed. I was running deeper into the long field I peeked round a bit of corn and saw hunters aiming at....STRIPE!

My legs were itching terribly but I didn't care one bit and I raced into the smoke and grabbed him.

The hunters charged at me and Stripe I was racing through the field trying to hide the hunters were shooting big bits corn and they were laden with fierce flames. I was in the field still running wild.

A dream come true

I fought my way through the fire and Stripe was in my arms. The hunters were catching up with me and I was wiping sweat off my head. I was exhausted and pretty beaten up. It was only till I realised the corn was on much more fire than there was 2 sec's ago!!!!!

I was beginning to walk then I began to fall and now only in the field you could see was a small 10-year-old girl. Stripe managed to get out the fire and he got my parents. Even my stepfather was disappointed.

The flames had been put out by the villagers who threw buckets of water over the field and of course me!

The day was silent with villagers watching me getting into the ambulance. “I'll stay here and you can go with Libby I'll answer the phone if the hospital call” Paul decided sensibly.

My heart was slowly beating and my Mum, seriously she was super scared she was crying too much. Her eyes were overflowing with salty tears, the hospital was laying her down.

Then suddenly Stripe pounced on the bed and my face was now being licked and a rough and bumpy tongue was rubbing against me. I woke and found Stripe licking my face, like the dream in London. Stripe jumped into my arms I was just speechless and my mother was too!! The hospital

Stacey shows up

Margret was drifting of to sleep so I tucked her in. Maria was the youngest patient out of the whole hospital so I went to see her, her face was beautiful. "Oh LIBBY!!!!!!!!!!!!" The voice yelled again, "Oh Libby, I think that the young lady wants you" Natalie and Johnny two
of the hospital carers sighed pointing to the fire exit. A young and familiar lady was overwhelmed and was charging to me! Then I knew who she was was STACEY!!! I was...well I was just really happy but I didn't know how to describe that moment. I was squeezing Stacey's stomach when my Mum's mouth dropped open, "Put my child down" Scolded
my mother (her name is Amelia by the way I should of told you earlier)
Stacey was pulling me back. Amelia finally understood. The hospital said that I should
take care of Peri the new patient! So I went to find Peri she was in abed asleep, "Children, they get on my nerves" Peri snapped as she opened one eye, I placed the food on the bedside table and leaped out of that row and scattered into cellar. Lilly, Stacey and Amelia were
chatting "Peri's horrid" I sobbed, perching comfortably on the nearest haystack, Lilly was putting an arm round me "We'll get you new business honey, I'll speak to Jill the headmistress about Peri" She promised. Stacey was agreeing that Peri should try kids minds, there more imaginative!!!!

Friendship and Freeness forever


The years passed till I was 12 and finally Amelia said she'd pay for me to work at the hospital.
My mum was now a pretty busy woman! She was working herself up, guess what it was all about Stripe!! Stripe was a proper tiger now, he ensured that his and I's friendship will never be forgotten! I had loved Stripe for my life but I knew Stripe was old enough to take care of himself, my stepfather even had tears trickling down his cheek when Amelia explained about Stripe leaving.
Stripe was eating some meat for breakfast on a Sunday morning. Paul and Amelia were staring at Stripe ripping chunks of meat
off.

"Oh Stripe we'll miss you" I whispered softly, as Stripe pounced onto my legs. I looked at my stung legs Stripe had
done, my legs were bleeding and I knew he could hunt for himself.

That afternoon I sent Stripe into the world "Bye Stripe" I called as the tiger raced away.

Now Stripe is dead sadly but he is a true friend and I have never ever forgotten him, Stripe made my life very bright but he is in memory, Stripe is the only thing in life. Africa couldn't do with out you Stripe, you are one truly loving tiger.



Stripe will never be forgotten out of young and old


Thank you for reading our life story


Libby Forecast and Stripe xxx

by Erin L Age 7