Tiger Tom Finds a New Song Read online

Animals are also dancing. Rhonda, the Rabbit, is dancing the Bunny Hop, and Carlos, the Capuchin monkey, is dancing the Monkey.

  Penguin Pete is dancing the Foxtrot, with a young, vixen fox. He sees his friend and waves his flipper, beckoning him to join in the dancing.

  In the midst of the music, Tiger Tom shouts out, "Does anyone know how to dance the Polka?"

  Rhonda, the Rabbit, asks, "Did he say the Polecat dance? I did not know those little, furry, animals knew how to dance."

  "I am not a ferret; I am a tiger from Minnesota. In Minnesota, we like to dance the Polka," says Tiger Tom.

  Rhonda, the Rabbit, replies, "I have heard of tigers living in Detroit, Michigan, but not living in Minnesota."

  Tiger Tom, losing his patience, replies, "You mean the Detroit Tigers. They are a baseball team, and there are no tigers on the team."

  Lola, the Southern Lapwing, steps forward toward Tiger Tom, and says, "My name is Lola. I am a friend of Penguin Pete's. I know how to dance the Polka. Why don't we show them how it is done?" Tiger Tom, not wanting to hurt her wing with his paw, gently takes the tip of her wing, and they begin to dance.

  After the dance is finished, he asks Lola how she knows Penguin Pete and how she learned how to dance the Polka.

  She replies, "I met Penguin Pete in the Falkland Islands, when I was swept there by a strong wind. I was trying to fly to my home in Frutillar, Chile. People from Germany came to settle in my country. They like to dance the Polka. That's how I learned the dance. When we are not having Polka festivals, we enjoy playing soccer. You should come and visit me, in my country, before you return home. Now, it is time for the Grand Parade. Let's go. We have to catch up with Penguin Pete."

  Tiger Tom likes Lola. She is not colourful like the other birds, but she is a great dancer and very friendly. She makes him feel welcomed.

  Tiger Tom is excited to see the parade. There is a lion leading the parade with his long, golden mane, a spotted ocelot, followed by a kangaroo, who is keeping time to the parade music with her tail. "One hop, two hops, let's not stop," sings the rust coloured kangaroo. Following them are: a slow moving tortoise, a lumbering elephant, a saucy ostrich showing off her feathers, and a very regal looking giraffe, who holds his head high above the crowd.

  The parade reminds him of the Carnival of the Animals. He tells his friends that this is a piece of music written by Camille Saint-Saens. The different musical instruments replicate the sounds of the various animals in the parade.

  Lola asks, "Can you hum the music for us?" Wanting to impress Lola, he tries with all his might. But he can't remember the notes. Tiger Tom's tail turns blue.

  He tells his friends about his woes. Penguin Pete suggests that they should go. Tiger Tom is glad to leave because he does not want Lola to see him sad.

  So, off the two fly to visit Penguin Pete's family in the Falkland Islands.

  As they fly lower over the Falklands, Tiger Tom is impressed by the rolling hills, the green grass, with touches of yellow, and the wind-swept shore line. He spies black and white figures. He has never seen penguins so large before. Penguin Pete didn't tell him that his family was giants. Tiger Tom yells loudly over the roar of the engine and asks, "Is that your family, down below?"

  "No, they are Belted Galloway cows. Tiger Tom, you are funny," laughs Penguin Pete. Tiger Tom is glad that he is siting behind his friend, so he cannot see how embarrassed he feels.

  Down below, Penguin Pete's family looks up.

  One of the Gentoo penguins asks, "Is that a bird or a plane? No, it's a bird in a plane; it is Penguin Pete!" The family knows that Penguin Pete likes to travel and have adventures. But they also know that Penguin Pete's heart will always lead him back to the Falklands.

  As the plane lands, Penguin Pete's nephews, Percival, Pip, and Pistachio, run along the shore, their yellow, webbed feet leaving imprints in the grey, wet sand. Percival is the oldest and the fastest. He leads the way. Pip, the younger brother, adores Percival and is always travelling in his shadow. Pistachio, who is never in a hurry, is happy to follow behind.

  "Hooray, Uncle Pete is home." The young penguins are very fond of their uncle. Whenever he is home, he takes them fishing and surfing.

  "You are just in time to go surfing. The high tide is coming in," says Percival, who is first to reach the plane. "Let's go! Last one in has to help mother with supper."

  Before their uncle or Tiger Tom can jump from the plane, the young penguins are paddling out to sea on their surfboards.

  "Ah, the young. They are always in a hurry," sighs Penguin Pete. "Well, they are right. The tide is high, so it is best to join them. Come on, Tiger Tom."

  Tiger Tom hesitates and tells Penguin Pete that he has never gone surfing before. "Well, there's nothing to it. You just bend your knees, keep your balance, and enjoy the ride.

  "Just watch me. You will see how easy it is." Penguin Pete hops on a surfboard and paddles out to the inky, blue sea. Soon he is riding the white, capped waves, with the greatest of ease.

  Tiger Tom steps on a board and paddles out to join his friends. He says to himself, "Gee this is fun. It is great being out in the fresh air, feeling the waves, and the breeze, with not a care in the world."

  His mind drifts, and he begins to think of a surfing song. How do the words go? I think it has something to do with girls and curls, and boards and motion, or is it lotion? Tiger Tom, lost in thought, does not realize that his tail is turning blue.

  Penguin Pete and his nephews cry out, "Look out, Tiger Tom! You are heading for the...." But before they could say the word "rocks," Tiger Tom springs from his board, does a back flip, and lands on the rocks.

  Everyone gasps in amazement. Tiger Tom smiles and says nonchalantly, "No sweat. I learned a few tricks when I worked for Amos Bailey's Circus."

  "That was incredible," says Pistachio. "But what has happened to your tail? It's as blue as the sea." Penguin Pete, wanting to save his friend from explaining his lapse of memory, quickly says, "Tigers use the rings on their tails to tell them the temperature of the water. Since Tom's tail is blue, right up to the very tip, the water is very cold. We should get Tiger Tom home to get him warm and cosy. Maybe then he will tell us about his days with the circus."

  Tiger Tom is grateful for his friend's quick response to his nephew. And he replies with a smile, "Yes, and I will tell you about the first time I met your uncle."

  "Oh, yes, please do," says Pip. "We'd like to know all about our uncle's adventures!"

  Days pass, and Tiger Tom grows restless. The Gentoo penguins stand in groups, patiently waiting for their young to finish moulting and have their new feathers grow in. The feathers keep the water away from the penguin's skin. Watching this process is as exciting as watching paint dry, and Tiger Tom is bored. He decides that it is time to leave.

  Penguin Pete is sad to see his friend go, but he knows that it would not have been too much longer before he would have had to return to the sea with his family to go fishing.

  "Farewell and safe journey. Flying around Cape Horn is not safe for your little plane. The winds are strong and high, and they can toss your plane around like a kite. It would be better for you to fly west across South America, and then head north to the United States. It is a long flight. You can stop mid-way and visit Bolivia. There, you can climb the mountains, way up high, until they almost touch the sky. In the mountains, you will find glaciers and llamas. You will see and learn much before you leave. There will be surprises waiting for you."

  Tiger Tom has never climbed mountains so high or seen llamas before. This is the type of adventure he adores. He thanks his friend for his hospitality and advice. Then Tiger Tom flies way up high, in his plane, over the clouds.

  When Tiger Tom arrives in Bolivia, he asks the locals where he can find a guide. People suggest that he hire Ned, the sure-footed horse. He is a chestnut coloured horse. "You will find him at the local paddock," they tell Tom.

  So Tiger Tom hires Ned. Up the mountains they climb. Hig
her and higher they go. The blue glaciers, the steep cliffs, and the snow covered mountains, enthrall Tiger Tom. He is so happy that without thinking, he begins to sing a cowboy song. He starts to sing aloud, "Rowing, rowing, keep those puppies howling, rawhide..."

  Ned stops dead in his tracks. "Those are not the words to the song; it's 'rollin', rollin', rollin', and it is doggies, not puppies! How come your tail and paws are turning blue?" Before Tiger Tom can answer, the wind shifts, and they both hear humming.

  "That sounds like a human voice," says Tiger Tom.

  "It is Lazarus, the Llama. "He is very old and wise," says Ned, shaking his gold streaked-mane and picking up his pace.

  "Good morning, Lazarus. I have brought you a visitor," says Ned.

  Lazarus, wearing a jaunty, wool hat, and looking most impressive with his bronze coloured wool, replies, "Top of the morning to you, Ned," and he continues his humming.

  Tiger Tom is intrigued by his humming, and asks, "What is the name of your tune?"

  "Oh, there is no name for my tune. I like to hum; it makes me feel happy. When I feel blue, I make up a new tune. I don't try and remember the old ones. It takes too much energy. At my age, I'd rather use my energy to make up new songs. Besides, I find that it is more fun and challenging. It is sometimes best not to hold onto the past. Based on your appearance, I think that you should give it a try."

  Tiger Tom says, "I wish someone had told me this before. Your words have lightened my heart. Thank you for your words of wisdom."

  Ned and Tiger Tom return to the bottom of the mountain. Tiger Tom bids Ned farewell and continues his flight home.

  Tiger Tom continues his westward flight to the coast of South America. He reaches Peru and, as he is flying close to Pisco, he sees strange markings on the sides of the brown coloured cliffs. Tiger Tom thinks, What could they be? Are they some markings made by the ancient Incas?

  He decides to fly down to have a closer look. He says, out loud to himself, "Why are there arrows pointing south?" Then he sees a group of Humboldt Penguins waving their flippers and Brown Pelicans flapping their wings. The pelicans call out, "Tiger Tom, you are going in the wrong direction. Head south to Chile. Lola is waiting for you."

  How would Lola know that I am flying in this direction? Tiger Tom says to himself. Then he remembers what Penguin Pete had said before he left. There will be surprises waiting for me before I leave. But should I go? The thought of turning blue in front of Lola makes me cringe. Maybe it will be safe. I don't know any songs about Chile or soccer. And what did Lazarus say? In order not to become blue, think of something new. There is only one way to find out if this is true. I will go and see Lola.

  Tiger Tom flies along the coastline of Chile, looking for Frutillar, Lola's home. Early in the morning, at last he sees her on the beach. From overhead his plane looks like a giant insect, with its yellow wings and orange and red body.

  Lola waves to him. She's playing soccer with several dogs. Their bodies are lean and trim, and their long legs are made for running.

  Lola is very happy to see him. "You are just in time to join soccer practice. I coach in the South Paw League. This is my team, Los Lobos," says Lola.

  "But I don't know how to play soccer," protests Tiger Tom.

  "Do not worry. You are a cat, and dogs love to chase cats. All you need to do is take the ball and run, vamoose," laughs Lola.

  The dogs eagerly eye Tiger Tom and the soccer ball. Tiger Tom, being agile and quick, sprints down the beach. He weaves from the right to the left.

  The dogs are in fast pursuit. And then, he stops, and begins to kick the soccer ball into the air. To his surprise, the ball sails through the air, and it lands in front of a piano. Two dogs are standing beside the piano.

  "Are you the new pianist?" asks Cordelia, the Boxer. "We have been waiting for an accompanist, so we can practise for the festival."

  "This piano looks beautiful, but it does not look like it can be played," says Tiger Tom.

  "Don't argue. Sit down. We are running late!" says Sophia, the Collie.

  "But, if the piano does work, how will I know what to play?" asks Tiger Tom. By now, Tiger Tom is growing nervous.

  He is thinking, What if I do recognize the tune and cannot remember all the notes or the words? I am going to turn blue.

  "Just follow the beat of my tail. It is hard to find a pianist who can meet the standards of the divine soprano, Sophia, and the great contralto, Cordelia," says, Sophia, with a disdainful air.

  Tiger Tom touches the keyboard with his paws, and to his amazement, the piano comes to life.

  Cordelia and Sophia begin to sing, with Sophia waving her tail. They sing a Chilean folk song, with rhythms and rhymes he has never heard before.

  The two divas are impressed with his playing. Proudly, Lola says, "Why should you be surprised? I know that Tiger Tom is a very gifted player. Not only can he play, but he can also sing. Sing us a song, Tiger Tom. Show them what you can do."

  Tiger Tom is beginning to sweat. He does not want to disappoint Lola and his new friends. He remembers what Lazarus said: "To avoid becoming blue, sing something new." So, Tiger Tom begins very tentatively to sing in a soft voice,

  Tiger Tom is my name. Tiger Tom is my name.

  This is my new song. This is my new song.

  I went to Rio to see my friend Pete.

  I heard a new beat.

  We went dancing in the street.

  Tiger Tom is my name. Tiger Tom is my name.

  This is my new song. This is my new song.

  We flew to the Falklands, and what did we see?

  Three little penguins, running to meet me.

  They taught me surfing, and I did freeze.

  I was glad when they rescued me.

  By now, several of the dogs have gathered around the piano. Cordelia, Sophia, and Lola join in, and sing the chorus. Tiger Tom, gaining confidence, sings louder,

  Tiger Tom is my name. Tiger Tom is my name.

  This is my new song. This is my new song.

  Then I met Ned, who was a horse,

  We went climbing, over a very long course.

  And, who did we find, at the end of the trail?

  Old Lazarus, humming and wagging his tail.

  Tiger Tom is my name. Tiger Tom is my name.

  This is my new song. This is my new song.

  He told me, if I was blue, to sing something new.

  Tiger Tom is my name. Tiger Tom is my name.

  This is my new song. This is my new song.

  And, here I am, with my new friends.

  No longer feeling blue, because now I know what to do.

  Tiger Tom is my name. Tiger Tom is my name.

  This is my new song. This is my new song.

  By now, everyone is dancing and singing along. "Bravo," they shout. "Play more, play more!"

  Tiger Tom closes his eyes and begins to play. This time the music is magical. He begins softly playing. The piano keys sound like raindrops, or water, slowing trickling down a stream. Then he starts to tap his feet, clap his paws together, and play a samba beat. Lola and the dogs sway and dance, in time to the rhythm.

  Then he changes the rhythm and pace of the beat. The piano sounds like the running of the dogs' feet on the beach. Then the piano sounds soften and sound like a gentle breeze. He plays faster, and the piano sounds like the waves crashing and the wind howling. Faster, and faster Tiger Tom plays. Finally, he slows down again and finishes with a gentle brush of the keys. The animals are silent. They are totally in awe of his playing. Some of them have tears in their eyes. They cannot believe what they have heard. Then, there is a burst of applause. Tiger Tom stands up and gives a humble bow.

  The two divas each give him a hug. "You must come and play at our festival. You will be our new star," says Cordelia.

  "That is most generous of you to invite me. South America has taught me different sounds and unique beats. Once, I was a star. But now, I shall explore the world, discovering new sounds, a
nd sharing them with the people I meet. I am so glad to have met Lola and her friends. Maybe someday, I will return. Until then, goodbye, farewell, adieu."

  And, Tiger Tom, waving his hat, flies off into the air.

  The End.

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