Tiger Tom Finds a New Song Read online



  Tiger Tom Finds a New Song

  A Little Tale for Big People

  Laurie Campbell

  Copyright © 2014 Laurie Campbell

  All rights reserved.

  Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

  Tiger Tom Finds a New Song: A Little

  Tale for Big People

  Tiger Tom is a swinging cat, who wears an orange hat and a red bow tie. He graduated at the top of his class at the Cincinnati Zoo's Academy of Performing Arts for Tigers.

  At school, he learned how to dance, sing, and play the piano. Being an agile cat, he quickly learned how to play the piano with his tail, with his toes, and with his eyes closed.

  He finished school and travelled with the Amos Bailey's Circus, where he became one of the star attractions.

  After travelling with the circus, Tiger Tom grew tired and needed a break. Once, the circus visited Minnesota. It was there he learned how to dance the Polka. He likes this dance because it is lively, and the music is played fast: just the way he likes to play his piano. Tiger Tom also met Dr. Linus, who is a voice specialist. He was very kind to Tiger Tom, and had helped him with his singing. Tiger Tom decided that he would go to live in Minnesota.

  One day, Tiger Tom is playing his piano and singing, "Hi diddle, diddle, the fish, and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the spoon. Oh dear, those are not the right words. I cannot think of the words. I will try another song. Twinkle, twinkle, little car. How I wonder where you are." Tiger Tom tries to think of other songs. But he gets the words all muddled up.

  This makes him feel very blue and sad.

  Tiger Tom says to himself, "I will go to see Doctor Linus. And I must be quick, in case I am very sick."

  So, Tiger Tom goes to see Dr. Linus. Dr. Linus's office is very small, and his shelves are filled with medical books. His diploma hangs on the wall.

  The doctor says, "Open your mouth wide." He checks inside his mouth. He feels his tummy, checks his nose and his head. "Hmm, hmm," says Dr. Linus.

  Tiger Tom feels dread and asks, "What's wrong?"

  "You have Canor Amnesia. Canor is Latin for song or tune, and amnesia means lack of memory. Your colour will come back, but you must be careful. If you cannot remember words to a song, stop or you will turn blue."

  Tiger Tom asks, nervously, "Is there a cure?"

  Doctor Linus, shaking his head, says, "Given time, some patients recover. Others do not. I am very sorry."

  Tiger Tom goes home. He is feeling gloomy. But then fortune smiles on him. In the mail, he receives a letter from his friend Penguin Pete. He met Penguin Pete when the Amos Bailey's Circus had travelled to South America. The letter reads,

  Dear Tiger Tom,

  It has been such a long time since I have seen you. Remember the first time we met in Rio. I have returned to Rio de Janeiro, for Carnival. Come and join some of my friends. My friend, Lola, the Southern Lapwing, who lives in Chile, is here with me. We have found a place where there are no pesky tourists. Please come and join me for some sun and fun.

  Your friend,

  Penguin Pete

  "Terrific, this is what I will do! A change of scenery is what I need!" exclaims Tiger Tom. So he leaps into his Tiger Moth plane and flies to South America.

  When Tiger Tom arrives, the party is in full swing. Birds wearing green, blue, orange, and blue feathers are dancing to the sounds of the Blue Jean Frog Samba band.